Counties Manukau 37
Auckland 13
On the day the final votes were cast, Auckland took first bragging rights in the new Super city.
The blue and whites continued a good record in the Bombay Hills, securing an emphatic 37-13 victory after trailing by seven points at half time.
The match was evenly poised for the first hour but Auckland physically overwhelmed a tiring Counties, scoring four tries in the final 20 minutes to claim a bonus point win.
Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino and Joe Rokocoko put in solid 80-minute efforts for Auckland while Isaia Toeava made a strong second-half impact in his return from a hip injury.
In the first half, the game would sometimes resemble bullrush as Counties attacked from almost everywhere but were undone by numerous handling errors.
In the second half the home side were simply bullied by a relentless Auckland defence.
It was the first time Tana Umaga has played three consecutive games all season but he showed no signs of weariness. He took the ball up in the very first minute; later covered good ground to deny an Auckland try near the corner post; threw a key pass for the first try; backslammed Rokocoko into the ground forcing a turnover and got across to stop a try in the very last act of the match.
One local official reckoned this was the best crowd in a decade at Pukekohe. It is no wonder as the Steelers in full flow, along with Northland, are arguably the most entertaining team to watch in the competition.
They have added real steel and structure this season, especially on defence, but they are always looking for any opportunity to unleash their flowing backline and the flicks, cut-out passes, and wrap-arounds that go with it.
The first half was a story of missed opportunities. Auckland had all the early pressure and territory but no fluency. There remains a lack of depth and deception in their backline.
Counties looked dangerous whenever they got the ball in opposition terrority and made a series of breaks - but handling lapses cost them dearly. They were punishing in defence, putting on several big hits.
After some sparkling attacks that stretched the Aucklanders on both sides, impressive winger David Raikuna squeezed through a half gap, intelligently held it up for Dean Cummins who strolled untouched under the posts in the 25th minute.
The next try did not arrive until the 48th minute, as Auckland captain Braid was judged to have grounded the ball on the line after a nice inside ball from Dave Thomas. The home crowd did not like the decision, as it appeared Braid may have been held up as he wrestled with defenders but subsequent replays suggested referee Keith Brown was correct.
The five pointer put some wind in the sails of the Aucklanders, who upped their intensity on defence, forcing numerous errors from Counties.
The turning point came on the hour mark.
Auckland disrupted the Counties scrum, forcing three resets. From the third reset, Auckland halfback Toby Morland charged down the clearing kick from Cummins.
From the ensuing five-metre scrum, Toeava, who had came on in the 45th minute, created a hole for All Black team-mate Rokocoko and the blue and whites led for the first time in the match.
Toeava created the next try too, showing incredible athleticism to re-gather his own bomb and Braid scored from the ensuing attack.
Rokocoko and Kaino scored late tries to give the scoreline a rather flattering look.
Umaga, Raikuna, and Tuifua Taiasina were the pick of the crop for the home side while Braid, Kaino and number eight Peter Saili stood out for Auckland, along with Toeava's cameo.
Counties 13 (D Cummins try, con, 2 pens), Auckland 37 (D Braid 2, J Rokocoko 2, J Kaino tries M Anscombe, 2 con 2 pens, M Berquist con). Halftime: 13-6
