Auckland stay alive as Counties dip out

By WYNNE GRAY

Auckland 69 Counties Manukau 17

Auckland claimed the remaining playoff spot, but on recent evidence may also have collected the division-one booby prize with a semifinal match-up against Canterbury on Saturday.

But as that old sporting expression goes, Auckland do have a starter's chance, which is more than yesterday's victims, Counties Manukau, have after their crushing defeat at Eden Park.

That comprehensive collapse confirmed their relegation to division two and delivered a variety of other consequences.

Coach Andrew Talaimanu confirmed his resignation amid tears and commiserations with his team as they worked at making a dignified exit from division one.

While Counties colours would always fly, captain Danny Lee said there would be players who would move on. It was the way of professional rugby.

"You have got to be playing professional rugby if you want to go up the ladder," said Lee.

"It is very hard doing that from second division."

Counties had come to the game determined to ruin Auckland's playoff target, mess up Robin Brooke's last game on Eden Park and create an upset.

There was one upset before the game, though Counties officials did not want to comment about the absence of No 8 Koula Tukino.

However, it is understood Tukino, after learning at training he had been demoted to the bench, disappeared and had to be scrubbed from the reserves.

Counties got an early shock in the match, too, when fill-in Auckland fullback Orene Ai'i wriggled past three tacklers in the opening minute to lay on a try for Doug Howlett.

It was the first of Auckland's nine tries and the start of a hat-trick for Howlett, who had a superb game, breaking tackles with the power of his acceleration, finding gaps and laying on several other tries.

Counties did not help themselves with flimsy defence and handling which suggested nerves for the occasion.

After trailing 27-3 at halftime, Counties threatened first with a penalty try for an early Ai'i tackle on Blair Feeney.

It only provoked Auckland, with Ai'i getting square with a try instigated by another Howlett bust and Iliesa Tanivula getting the first of his twin touchdowns.

Auckland were on fire, freewheeling round the park and adding four more tries in the last seven minutes.

They were able to toy with Counties, who by then had lost all hope of a miracle victory to save them from relegation.

Carlos Spencer kicked like a magician, missing just one sideline conversion among an array of tough kicks as he helped himself to a personal tally of 27 points.

And amid the late mayhem, powerful skipper Xavier Rush was able to offer a sentimental touch.

Brooke and the Japan-bound Charles Riechelmann were given conversion chances.

Both botched the kicks, though Brooke from close-range had a much easier shot than Riechelmann on the touchline.

Somehow Brooke got a second chance. Riechelmann wanted to get in on the act, too, so he threw the kicking tee away, used fingertip control to steady the ball and Brooke did the business.

It summed up the match. While Auckland could scrape into the semifinals, they also had too much ability across the park for their Counties neighbours.