AIR NEW ZEALAND CUP

News | History | Fixtures & Results | Tables

Manawatu stun Canterbury

Saturday 02nd August 2008

Turbo power: Manawatu celebrate a famous victory

Manawatu shocked South Island giants Canterbury in the first round of the Air New Zealand Cup with a 25-24 win in Christchurch on Saturday.

It was the first time the Turbos had beaten the red and black machine in a first class match since 1982 in the then NPC championship.

Replacement fly-half Colin Slade had the chance to save the match for Canterbury, but his 43m angled kick shaved the upright to give Manawatu a shock win.

Manawatu's hero was winger Andre Taylor who scored two brilliantly taken individual tries in the second half.

Turbos' pivot Matty James also played a key role, contributing a try and kicking two penalties and two conversions.

Canterbury also scored three tries - two to centre Adam Whitelock and half-back Tyson Keats.

The hosts, shorn of a swag of experience, never looked likely to repeat last year's massive 64-10 win over Manawatu as they struggled to a 10-7 lead at half-time.

Manawatu opened the scoring in the fourth minute when James intercepted and had an unopposed 15 metre run to the line. He converted his own try in front to put the visitors ahead, 7-0.

Canterbury goal-kicker Hamish Gard missed a penalty goal from close ranage in the seventh minute and that was indicative of a shaky start by last year's semi-finalists who lacked early co-ordination in the back-line.

Whitelock made a fine break for Canterbury, but Scott Hamilton's final pass to unmarked winger James Paterson was deemed forward.

Gard had more luck with his second penalty attempt in the 19th minute, the ball deflecting in off an upright.

Taylor looked to have scored in the 25th minute, but the TMO ruled Keats had got his hand to the ball first.

That man Taylor was in the action again after a great cover tackle stopped Paterson from crossing in the 32nd minute, but soon after Keats took a quick free kick and burrowed through from 5 metres out.

Gard converted from in front to put Canterbury ahead 10-7 and that was the half-time score.

Canterbury looked the more composed side after the break but it was Manawatu who again struck first, this time through Taylor.

Canterbury full-back Paul Williams had the ball knocked loose in a tackle and Taylor kept his head to toe the ball on twice and score to give Manawatu the lead again.

Again, Manawatu fell behind. Canterbury centre Tim Bateman created both tries for midfield partner Whitelock.

First, he toed the ball through a flat Manawatu defence for Whitelock to race onto and score.

Bateman then produced a well-timed draw and pass which put Whitelock through a yawning gap for his second try.

Manawatu, showing their growing maturity, never gave up. They cut the deficit with two James penalties.

With eight minutes to go, a defensive error by Canterbury gave them their chance.

From a ruck after a five-metre line-out, Taylor beat the defence to score by the right upright. James' conversion made it 25-24 to give the Turbos their first win in Christchurch for 26 years.

The scorers:

For Canterbury:
Tries: Whitelock 2, Keats
Cons: Gard 3
Pens: Gard

For Manawatu:
Tries: Taylor 2, James
Cons: James, Cruden
Pen: Cruden

Canterbury: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Adam Whitelock, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 James Paterson, 10 Hamish Gard, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Hayden Hopgood, 6 Kieran Read (captain), 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Campbell Johnstone, 2 Steve Fualau, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Richard Wheeler, 17 Owen Franks, 18 George Whitelock, 19 Nasi Manu, 20 Steve Alfeld, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Kosuke Endo.

Manawatu: 15 Francisco Bosch, 14 Andre Taylor, 13 Johnny LEOTA, 12 Francis Bryant, 11 Aaron James, 10 Matthew James, 9 Aaron Good, 8 Nick Crosswell, 7 Josh Bradnock (C), 6 Hamish Gosling, 5 James Goode, 4 Hayden Triggs, 3 Talau Hala, 2 Rob Foreman, 1 Grant Polson.
Replacements: 16 Sean O'Connor, 17 David Moana, 18 Doug Tietjens, 19 Adaam Ross, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Lote Cruden.

Referee: Matt Stanish
TMO: Lyndon Bray