Tasman 12
Auckland 8
Tasman are facing the chop but Auckland got it in the neck yesterday in their provincial rugby clash in Nelson.
The hosts survived an anxious last few minutes before claiming their historic 12-8 victory which has kept them in touch with the leaders and left Auckland lamenting their mediocre form and a second straight loss.
Auckland coach Mark Anscombe made widespread changes after the last round, when his side slumped to defeat against neighbours North Harbour, but there was no discernible alteration in their production.
"We came down with big expectations but we did not front," disappointed captain Benson Stanley admitted.
The setpiece had been "rubbish", the team had fallen off tackles and had struggled right across the park.
Meanwhile, Tasman were celebrating the biggest win in their short history, one which will light up renewed debate about the criteria for teams being culled from the national championship after this season.
Tasman, Manawatu, Counties Manukau and Northland have been earmarked for the chop but Tasman continue to mock those rankings and Northland went close to pinching the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury.
A banner at Trafalgar Park yesterday taunted the game's powerbrokers.
"The NZRU saved Henry: Will they save the Makos?" it read in letters which looked even bolder after the match.
Some Tasman players went hunting midweek and bagged some wildlife, but yesterday they claimed the biggest scalp in the union's short history as a crowd of about 8000 revelled in the triumph.
Although they played into the strong first-half wind, Tasman always looked to have the game under control as Auckland's error rate continued to rise.
The hosts led 7-3 at the break with regular halfback Kahn Fotuali'i moving out to five eighths and controlling much of the backline rhythm, while Auckland was a runaway leader in missed tackles, breakdown and ball control statistics.
They improved and created some flutters, five minutes from time, when replacement hooker Pat Leafa scored after a superb 50m kick return from winger Atieli Pakalani.
But Tasman regrouped and kept their composure as young referee James McPhail signalled time and the start of the local celebrations.
"Our first half was woeful," Anscombe lamented. "When we got the ball we turned it over, then we gave away penalties and we were just unable to build any pressure.
"Our defence improved in the second half, though we did concede one soft try, and we got a bit more abrasive."
He admitted trying Peter Saili at openside flanker had not been a huge success but he was battling to find someone to fill the job. He needed an answer for the next challenge from Southland at Eden Park.
"We have been average at the breakdown, not abrasive or accurate enough. We were all right a little while back but it is hurting us again and we need to fix some things otherwise we will be in trouble in the next game."
All Black looseforward Jerome Kaino will be available this week and there is some hope tighthead prop John Afoa will also front, but Isaia Toeava is favouring a hip injury and Joe Rokocoko is on leave.
Said Anscombe: "We just have to get a lot more honest with our work, cut down our mistakes and get more energy into our game."
