Northland Maori too strong

Northland Maori confirmed their status as favourites in the annual northern regional Maori rugby competition with a resounding 46-7 win in the opening round over North Harbour on Saturday.
The 2010 champions showed they meant business again this year, with their forwards dominating their opposition in the contact zone in the match at Old Boys Rugby Club, in Whangarei.
The solid front row of Hikurangi's Justin Davies and Wellsford's Paddy Joe Atkins and Atere Davis dominated the North Harbour scrum, giving Northland front-foot ball and field position.
Rugged Hikurangi loose forward Eric Wihongi scored the first try after 10 minutes and Otamatea first five Toby Phillips added a penalty three minutes later. The score was unchanged for the next 20 minutes but the Northland pack got down to work, wearing down their Harbour opposites.
Davies scored under the posts in the 35th minute after a series of phases in the Harbour half. Phillips converted to give Northland a 15-points-to-nil lead. Phillips then broke the line himself to score a try, which he converted, after 40 minutes to give Northland a 22-0 lead. Mid Northern second five Maihi Brown added another try right on halftime which Phillips again converted to give Northland a 29-0 lead at halftime.
After the break, North Harbour come back at Northland and managed to maintain some possession. Ten minutes into the half, Maihi Brown was sinbinned by referee Boris Jurlina for illegal entry at the breakdown. North Harbour capitalised and scored their only try a minute later after outflanking their rivals.
Northland roared back at Harbour, with left wing Jovan Harris, from Wellsford, scoring a sizzling try from halfway after 15 minutes.
Brown was reinstated and made an immediate impact, scoring his second try with 10 minutes remaining with Phillips converting.
With both teams tiring, replacement winger Willie Waa, a recent Hikurangi recruit, scored the try of the day after the Northland backline broke from their own 10m line. Waa raced away from the 22m line, spinning around and throwing a dummy at full flight to suck in the defence to score in the final minute.
Northland props Davies and Davis were standouts in a good team effort, dominating at scrum time and making ground each time they carried the ball up into the contact zone. Wihongi was the most threatening ball carrier with Old Boy's openside Ethan Crutcher accurate and physical in defence. Captain Toby Phillips controlled the game well, scoring 16 points. Brown was also steady and Mid Western winger Saxon Samuels dangerous out wide.
Northland coach Laurie Davies was happy with the result, particularly with the limited preparation that the team has had. After discussing the make-up of his team with brother and NRU rugby development manager Hector Davies earlier in the week, he came up with the lethal team combination. He is confident that his boys can beat Auckland next Saturday at Hikurangi and progress to the final in Rotorua on March 5 to defend their title.
The team retained the prestigious Nau Cherrington trophy, Maori Battalion Cup and Scotty McPherson trophy which are all up for grabs in games between Northland, North Harbour and Auckland Maori.
In the curtain raiser, Northland Maori Colts were a class above their North Harbour contemporaries beating them 50-24. The Northland set piece wasn't that good but whenever they got possession they made good ground and with pace to burn out wide were dangerous every time they got the ball.
The forwards fought hard in contact with loosies Matt White, from Hikurangi; Tyson Owen, from Moerewa; Ihaka Dunn, from Kamo; and Eli George, from Okaihau; making good ground every time they got the ball.
Players of the day for Northland included Hikurangi loose forward Wiremu TeIringa, who was their main lineout option and worked tirelessly around the field; Pipiwai prop Beau Tipene, who worked hard at set piece; Mid Northern halfback Kadin TeNana, who cleared the ball well; and Kamo first five Tyler Lansdowne, who controlled play well. Awanui wing Whiria Meltzer looked dangerous on attack.
If they beat Auckland next Saturday they, too, will progress into the finals in Rotorua .