Northland 25 Auckland 33
KEY POINTS:
Auckland were in danger of a decent helping of embarrassment before they overcame Northland to leave their pride and unbeaten record intact.
Down 17-5 at one stage, Auckland came back to grind out a win and coach Pat Lam wasn't surprised by Northland's fight.
"Auckland have always struggled here. I was particularly pleased with how some of our young boys responded to that pressure. It is not the performance we wanted but our composure under pressure, with that crowd, was pleasing."
There were ominous signs for the home side early on as they allowed Auckland too much time and space. It helped them employ their expansive game plan and invited big ball runners like Bradley Mika and Jerome Kaino into the game.
"That was pretty scary," admitted Northland coach Mark Anscombe. "I thought that it was going to be a long day but I am happy with how we responded with some great character. It is gutting not to get a point out of the game. We deserved one."
Lam made a late change with Grayson Hart, the 19-year-old nephew of former All Black coach John Hart, making his starting debut at halfback in place of Taniela Moa.
The Grammar Carlton half showed his promise with blistering service for Lachie Munro, until he was forced off with injury, but not before he helped put Kurtis Haiu in at the corner after five minutes.
Haiu's relentless workrate had Lam single him out as the most impressive of his side.
But the Taniwha of 2007 is a different beast. They missed out on the playoffs last year by just a bonus point and this season have resolved to make the quarterfinals.
David Holwell put them into the lead with a try under the sticks after Tony Koonwaiyou split Auckland wide open. Moments later, the visitors were trailing by 12 after a brilliant chip-and-chase try from wing Glen Martin.
An upset seemed in the making as Northland looked primed for their first win over their neighbours since James Arlidge, who was on loan from Auckland, kicked them off Eden Park in 2001. The defiance of the Taniwha, led by skipper Gus Collins and midfielder Daniel Bowden, had Auckland rattled for the first time this season.
They bumbled with their possession, the option-taking was poor and their big forward pack was being bullied up front. Another area of concern for Lam would have been the erratic goal kicking. Brent Ward, who struck his first two kicks poorly, gave the duties to Isa Nacewa who did only marginally better.
It was a mark of respect for the Taniwha that this prominent attacking unit elected to kick at goal with every penalty on attack and every miss buoyed Northland's confidence.
Finally, Auckland produced a genuine attacking opportunity and winger David Smith provided some much needed spark to keep the visitors in touch with a sliding try before the break. But a long-range Holwell penalty had the home side with the momentum at halftime.
As expected, Auckland came out and knuckled down after Lam instructed them to be direct. It was good advice.
Even with a wealth of possession and territory, Auckland found the hosts resilient. Man for man, they were the bigger pack, which, in time, took its toll. Reserve prop Chris Heard crossed from close range and minutes later a free-flowing attack saw Ward sprint over in the corner.
That the game had turned was confirmed when Nacewa coolly slotted the sideline conversion and when Holwell had the chance to get Northland back within seven points, his penalty attempt was way off target.
As the match progressed, Auckland's trademark attacking rugby came to the fore and with it Northland's belief that they could win diminished - and they had to be content with a late try to prop Tony Coughlan who bulldozed over.
Northland were unlucky not to have a bonus point but they proved that, if they perform like this, they should beat more sides and realise their quarter-final ambition. Anscombe is sure that Blues coach David Nucifora, who was in the stands, will have noticed the determination.
Auckland 33 (K. Haiu, D. Smith, C. Heard, B. Ward tries; I. Nacewa 3 pen, 2 con), Northland 25 (D. Holwell, G. Martin, T. Coughlan tries; Holwell 2 pen, 2 con). Halftime: 13-20.
