Counties Manukau 13 North Harbour 13
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Tanner Vili nailed a long-range penalty with four minutes remaining to give Counties Manukau a well-deserved draw at Mt Smart Stadium last night.
It was an impressive revival from the Steelers, who were thrashed by Canterbury just six days ago and had to operate on scraps of possession throughout.
They seldom looked like winning but Counties' impressive defensive effort meant they stayed in a game that only came to life in the final quarter.
Harbour bossed proceedings throughout but they needed a piece of individual class from centre Anthony Tuitavake deep into the second half to finally cross the Steelers' line.
With Harbour leading just 6-3 despite a massive advantage in territory and possession and goal kicker Michael Harris looking shaky, Tuitavake positioned himself neatly on the outside of opposite Male Sa'u and simply glided away to score from 30 metres out without a hand being laid on him.
The try looked to have killed off a brave but impotent Counties challenge before wing Lelia Masaga answered back with a piece of brilliance of his own.
If anything, Masaga's individual try was the more impressive as he chopped off his right foot to leave Rudi Wulf clutching at air on the 22 before beating more defenders on a weaving run to the line.
Tanner Vili's conversion pulled the Steelers within three and Vili made no mistake with his 46m penalty to tie up the game just moments later.
Counties prop Simon Lemalu exemplified his side's new-found vigour but he perhaps took things too far with a late swinging arm on Pisi that might interest the citing commissioner.
Prop James Afoa came closest for Harbour, barrelling his way over in the corner only to have the ball ripped away by impressive Counties No 8 Taiasina Tuifua before he could ground the ball.
Michael Harris, who had hit a post with his first penalty attempt in the second minute, missed again from straight in front before finally putting his team in front with a simple kick with 23 minutes remaining.
Tuitavake's try then gave Harbour some breathing space before a stirring Counties fightback that condemned Harbour to a second draw in just three matches.
Counties-Manukau 13 (L. Masaga try; T. Nathan pen, con, T. Vili pen)
North Harbour 13 (A. Tuitavake try; M. Harris pen, con, T. Pisi dropped goal) Halftime: 3-3.
