Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Tasman down Auckland to claim back-to-back Mitre 10 Cup Premiership titles

(Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

Tasman have defended the Mitre 10 Cup title in dramatic fashion, snatching a one-point victory to deny Auckland another treasured crown.

ADVERTISEMENT

David Havili proved an inspirational figure for his underdog side – slotting a 70th-minute penalty to grab the lead and then win a crucial breakdown turnover at the death that effectively sealed the upset victory in a match that never got going from an attacking perspective.

Finals bring a different form of tension and Auckland will rue two yellow cards that proved hugely costly, and their failure to score a try.

Video Spacer

One tactic the All Blacks must use to beat Argentina | Aotearoa Rugby Pod

Video Spacer

One tactic the All Blacks must use to beat Argentina | Aotearoa Rugby Pod

Replacement playmaker Simon Hickey had a chance to push Auckland in front but as his sliced dropped goal slid agonisingly past the right hand post with three minutes left, the anguish on his face said it all for fans in blue and white.

A crowd of 13,131 – which would have been significantly more had the match been staged in the afternoon – seized the free attendance to pack out the North stand and find their voice in the closing stages.

It was Tasman’s supporters, however, who celebrated at the final whistle.

Tasman become only the second team in Mitre 10 Cup history to win successive finals – following Canterbury in 2008-2013 and 2015-2017.

It hasn’t been a vintage year for the Mako as they dropped matches against North Harbour, Canterbury and Auckland en route to the final but, when it mattered, they found the required composure at Eden Park.

ADVERTISEMENT

Last time they were here Tasman copped a 31-10 beating in round six. They sure rectified that result.

From easy beats – once on the verge of being kicked out of the competition – to vaunted contenders, Tasman are a success story everyone can recognise.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by RugbyPass (@rugbypass)

Auckland defended tenaciously while one man short to withstand multiple Tasman onslaughts and not concede with fullback Zarn Sullivan – ruled to have intentionally slapped down a pass with Tasman wing Leicester Fainga’anuku unmarked outside him – in the bin.

ADVERTISEMENT

But Alama Ieremia’s side could not find their attacking punch.

Tasman suffered a major blow 15 minutes into the first spell when they lost influential playmaker Mitchell Hunt, this year’s second highest top point scorer, after a head clash with Auckland flanker Niko Jones.

With Hunt absent, Havili came in from the backfield to pop up at first receiver more frequently and assume much of the tactical responsibility, including the goal-kicking duties.

Auckland brought urgency and aggression to their defensive and breakdown work but their lineout in the first half was shambolic.

Losing four of their own throws squandered several attacking opportunities, nullifying their potent backline threats such as dynamic wing Salesi Rayasi, who had claimed 14 tries in his past eight matches.

While the lineout battled Auckland’s scrum, anchored by former All Blacks prop Angus Ta’avao, enjoyed dominance.

This area allowed the boot of Harry Plummer and Sullivan, who knocked over a 55 metre penalty on the angle as Auckland gained ascendency. Tasman, however, finished the half strongly.

While they struggled to penetrate Auckland’s staunch defence Fainga’anuku continued his prominence with destructive carries on the left edge and further in-field to get Tasman on the front foot.

Rewards first came in the form of referee Nick Briant losing patience with Auckland’s discipline to send captain Ta’avao to the bin for repeated team infringements.

From the next rolling maul Tasman hooker Quentin MacDonald rumbled over for opening try and a 10-9 half time lead for the visitors.

Havili’s performance, in the end, was the difference between the two teams.

Auckland 12 (Harry Plummer 3 pens, Zarn Sullivan pen)
Tasman 13 (Quentin MacDonald try, David Havili con, 2 pens)
HT: 9-10

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

M
Mzilikazi 20 minutes ago
How Dupont-less France tossed a grenade into Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations

This performance from Ireland does not surprise me. Go back to the Emgland game last year, and the way Ireland played there. Some poor defence, especially at the death, allowing the Smith drop goal, which was from an virtually .unmissable position.


Then the AB loss in the autumn, when Ireland played as poorly as I have seen this current group play. I agree with you, Nick, when you cite the falloff in attacking/try scoring ability which started with the Lancaster / Nienaber transition.


The loss of injured players is also a factor, but I would only mention it in passing, not overplay that one. After all, France were missing their first choice centre pairing.


The Prendergast v Crowley debate. I have been in the “Crowley to start” camp from the get go, and for this game specially, I feel that strategically Crowley should have started. The Munster man just has that bit more to his game, that bit more toughness and variation. I would suspect the French coaching group were delighted to be looking at how they played the Irish staring 10 for this game.


Prendergast is a supreme passer of the ball, and ultra cool and balanced, probably the better goal kicker. But in that first half(as far as I have got in the game so far), he was caught twice in possession, once really bulldozed back by the French forwards. In addition, he made some poor kicking choices, and only once took the line on. He was too easy to read, never a line breaking threat. I have read he played out the full 80 at 10. That leaves me seething. The Irish coaching group repeating the mistake made in the RWC QF in France, with Crowley again not used to advantage.

102 Go to comments
S
SK 57 minutes ago
How Dupont-less France tossed a grenade into Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations

I think France have made really good improvements. They have found several players on the bench and in the wider squad who are able to now operate at the level of their starters, they have power and devastation on the bench and can change the game. Their gameplan has also evolved and they are able to stay in the fight for longer. Fitness and conditioning seems to have become primary work ons. They have worked massively on breakdown where they forced so many turnovers and always slowed down Irelands ball. How many times did you see a French hand on the ball fighting the first and second cleaner tooth and nail for access before being shoved off of it? They become like a pack of rabid dogs on turnover and transitions, they counter so much better now and you can see elements of the Bordeaux and Toulouse game written all over the team. Its almost like a swarm when they counter. They have great alignment between the Top 14 and the national team and they have a group of players who are well versed in playing this style. You could see clearly in this game why both Galthie and Erasmus now fancy a 7-1 stack against Ireland. It is by and large to overpower them and demolish their breakdown. Irelands attack has devolved. Its now more metronomic than creative. It involves phase after phase of attritional attack and hordes of possession but it lacks creativity and purpose after the second or third phase. The Ireland attack of old kept teams guessing. You didnt know if they were gonna go wide or close in, you had to worry about the offload, the inside pass, the blindside and the hooker on the wing. Now it seems like they move the ball side to side while patiently waiting for the dam wall to break. They also lack pace and bite in the outside channels without Hansen and Lowe. Nash and Osborne were not on it and they struggled to contain the outside French backs who were incredible. France had more leaders that stood up, more grit and more power and it all proved too much for Ireland to handle.

102 Go to comments
N
Novelty Dmv Experts 2 hours ago
English rugby pundits and fans really need to get a grip

We are here to help everyone erase their criminal records , DUIs , bad driving records and other criminal records needed without any mishap .We have the Real registered drivers license, Illinois state id requirements, Illinois id requirements , what do you need to get your license Illinois  how to get a new drivers license illinois  ,  Fake Malaysian passport , credit card hack software, Fake UK Passports , Fake Bank Statement , Fake bank statement for loan , How To Get A Driver’s License in Ontario And British Columbia and good quality Fake Driver License will be verify from any other country with no problems involved, meanwhile with the camouflage quality Fake drivers License , non of your biometric details will be under the government system, but it can not be detected as fake with naked eyes. We also help people with DUI and other criminal records erased without any mishap , how to get your DUI erased is a problem which is solved here.

Now email us today at our E-mail address at: { qualitydocuments9@gmail.com }


Visit our website on : noveltydmvexperts.com


Thanks and waiting to Hear from you soonense for USA , UK , Canada which is unregistered. Real Estate License , How To Get A Fake Drivers License That Works From The DMV . Belgian driving license , Irish driver License , Fake drivers license nsw , How to spot a fake id Australia .With the Drivers License , all your biometric details as given from birth or How to Easily Order for a fake driver License online from the comfort of your home . Meanwhile in UK , you can easily obtain a Fake Driving Licence UK Online without any driving test.  Welcome to Novelty DMV Experts Best Producers of High Undetected Drivers License . We produce two types of documents qualities. Both real and fake drivers License . We also offer quality   Irish Drivers License  for Irish Citizens.

6 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Mick Cleary: 'Maro has drawn something from England. One day, those small steps might turn into a stride.' Mick Cleary: 'Maro has drawn something from England. One day, those small steps might turn into a stride.'
Search