Rugby: Auckland stage comeback win over North Harbour

Rudi Wulf of North Harbour is tackled. Photo / Getty Images

Auckland 29 North Harbour 13

Auckland weathered a strong first half by North Harbour to come out 29-13 victors in a ITM Cup match in Albany today.

North Harbour led 13-8 at halftime on the back of strong performances by backs Chris Smylie, Ben Botica, David Raikuna and Willie Walker as well as forwards Mat Luamanu, James King and Ben Afeaki.

Harbour also challenged possession at every opportunity and disrupted a number of Auckland lineouts to gain valuable turnover ball.

First five-eighth Ben Botica opened the scoring with a penalty but Auckland replied quickly after Steven Luatua stole lineout ball from North Harbour.

The ball was quickly flipped out to the backs and wing Brent Ward created the try with a jinking run before his off-load found No 8 Chris Lowrey who crashed over.

Harbour did not drop their heads. Botica fired the side up and his side were rewarded on the hooter when substitute forward Irwin Finau dotted down.

Botica's conversion took North Harbour out to a 13-8 lead.

Though the match was played in at times heavy rain, both sides remained eager to move the ball wide at every opportunity but it was North Harbour who seemed to wilt in their belief in the second half.

Auckland took control of the forward exchanges with skipper Tom McCartney and openside flanker Sean Polwart prominent.

The industrious Luatua was rewarded with his side's second try after Ward cracked the North Harbour defence again.

North Harbour spirits sagged further when Auckland scored again, this time after the ball was spread wide quickly into the hands of fullback Isaia Toeava to put wing George Moala clear.

All Black Toeava had a steady game including some strong runs and came off after 63 minutes showing no ill effects after recovering from a hip injury.

Auckland secured their bonus point when substitute wing Joe Rokocoko effected a turnover inside Auckland's 22 which ended with first five-eighth Gareth Anscombe dotting down after taking a freekick quickly.

Anscombe, a star of New Zealand's recent under-20 world title win had a mixed game but came away with 14 of his side's points.

Auckland 29 (Chris Lowrey, Steven Luatua, George Moala, Gareth Anscombe tries; Anscombe pen, 3 con)
North Harbour 13 (Irwin Finau try; Ben Botica 2 pen, con). Halftime: 8-13.

- HERALD ONLINE