Rugby: Cards fall against Steamers in loss

Tino Nemani is sent off by referee Kane McBride in Saturday's Ranfurly Shield challenge, as Steamers captain Culum Retallick looks on. Photo / Getty Images

Bay of Plenty's dream of winning the Ranfurly Shield again was shattered at Napier's McLean Park on Saturday afternoon.

Hawke's Bay proved worthy holders of the Log o' Wood with a thoroughly deserved 36-17 victory over the Steamers, who had a yellow and a red card awarded against them.

The loss of captain Culum Retallick to the sin bin in the 30th minute, for a second high tackle, was a critical moment in the game. Hawke's Bay scored before Retallick had even made the naughty chair, to open up a 14-3 lead with a stiff breeze behind them to come in the second spell.

Outstanding winger Tino Nemani was red carded with three minutes to play after tipping up a Hawke's Bay player over the safety angle. No harm was done to the tackled player but referee Kane McBride had little choice in choosing red over yellow.

Head coach Kevin Schuler had no quarrel with the decisions and says a lack of composure hurt his team.

"The boys prepared well but there were little moments in the game where we hesitated, or maybe lacked a little self belief, that went against us to nail the opportunities we were creating," Schuler said.

"In the first half we were physical and knocked them over, we put pressure on the breakdown. But there was a patch about 20 minutes in when we got carried through the middle and dropped off a few [tackles]. That is what gave them momentum and able to go wide and have a crack."

In the second half, the Steamers had plenty of ball to play with and impressed with some accurate phase play in possession. But that mostly came to nothing as they turned over ball in prime attacking areas and the Magpies were quick to score on the counter attack.

Many Steamers players are learning the hard way under the glare of live television, where there is nowhere to hide.

"We have been open that we are trying to grow young guys in key positions, and we certainly know they are giving us everything that they can and are representing us with pride," Schuler said. "But it takes time to grow some of that experience. You learn from your mistakes and their time will come, but the hard thing is in the now.

"We have three games to go so it really is about these boys getting some real self-belief. We are close but we're not quite there yet."

The Steamers are tied with North Harbour at the bottom of the ITM Championship. They play Northland at ASB Baypark on Thursday from 7.35pm.

Hawke's Bay 36 (Ihaia West 2, Ryan Tongia 2, Michael Allardice tries; West con, 3 pens) Bay of Plenty 17 (Tino Nemani, Jesse Acton tries; Nic Evemy 2 cons, pen)