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Turbos pull finger and front up |
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Written by Site Admin
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Monday, 31 July 2006 |
Manawatu attracted 9000 punters to watch them play Auckland on Saturday and if they weren't put off by two irritating radio jocks they will all be back in three weeks when Manawatu host Taranaki.
The Turbos lost 41-10 at FMG Stadium – a margin that flattered the visitors – but nevertheless the boys in green have started down the right road in winning back the respect of their supporters.
Manawatu even had the better of the second half and threw up several players to watch in the coming rounds.
Manawatu rugby folk are not afraid to mention lock Hayden Triggs in the same breath as Jason Eaton, and though he may lack Eaton's dog on a bone instincts Triggs is tall, hungry, mobile and skilful.
South African No 8 Bertus Mulder, openside flanker Josh Bradnock, the midfield pairing of Frank Bryant and Johnnie Leota and Wellington wing Siaosi Anamani also had an outstanding second half.
It was a surprise either side was able to settle into its rhythm, given 80 minutes of non-stop banter over the public address system by the local radio jocks and the shifty underfoot conditions.
When Auckland fullback Brent Ward somersaulted for his second-half try he could have been excused for believing he was interrupting a crowd interview.
Auckland coach Pat Lam was diplomatic about the non-stop commentary – "it's not something we get at Eden Park" – but he panned the quality of the playing surface, saying it contributed to a lot of skin grazes and leg strains in his camp.
"The ground wasn't satisfactory at all."
Auckland captain Nick White said it turned the scrums into a joke. "You couldn't get a hit on, so you just had to dig in really and try and hold them."
The surface may have been a leveller but it was hard to fault Manawatu.
After a flat first half (24-3) when they struggled to contain lock Kurtis Haiu and halfback Taniela Moa, Manawatu took heed of coach Dave Rennie's halftime plea to attack.
They were rewarded with a try by hooker Rob Foreman in the 60th minute which came from a rolling maul following a lineout win.
Foreman's try narrowed the margin to 29-10 but Auckland – as they did throughout the match – scored in clutches and inevitably after shifting the ball through a series of hands.
Manawatu captain Joggie Viljoen, who impressed with his option-taking from halfback, was honest enough afterwards to admit the result was a "big relief".
Rennie was slightly more circumspect. He was disappointed with the soft tries they conceded but chuffed with their 25 minutes of domination in the second half.
"There are a lot of areas to work on but the attitude is fantastic," Rennie said.
Rennie had been annoyed Manawatu had a second round bye but, faced with a propping crisis, he now regards it as a blessing.
Talau Hala is out for three weeks after injuring his back at training on Wednesday, and Mike Rowe blew out a calf on Saturday and is considered doubtful for the third-round match against Tasman.
To make matters worse, David Te Moana is yet to gain a clearance from his Australian club.
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