Rugby: Luamanu stars in North Harbour victory

Matt Luamanu of North Harbour. Photo / Getty Images

Barnstorming No 8 Matt Luamanu helped himself to a quickfire hat-trick of tries as North Harbour beat Manawatu 44-30 in the ITM Cup at Albany today.

The 1.96m, 120kg Luamanu powered over three times in the space of 11 minutes in the first half to more than make amends after he had gifted Manawatu a soft try.

His opposite Hamish Gosling ran 50m to score off an intercept from a loose pass by Luamanu in the 18th minute but Luamanu atoned seven minutes later by storming 30m to the line without a hand being laid on him before forcing his way over again amid a forward drive in the 34th minute.

Two minutes later 22-year-old Luamanu completed a stunning hat-trick, this time charging 40m on the angle after neat interpassing with lock Anthony Boric.

Luamanu's third try gave North Harbour a decisive 31-11 halftime advantage and earned them a four-try bonus point, just the second bonus point they have pocketed through nine rounds of the competition.

Victory saw North Harbour improve one place to 10th on the standings while Manawatu remained 14th and last.

While Manawatu's defensive frailties were fully exposed in the first spell they showed determination and character to hit back strongly early in the second half when tries to lock Michael Fitzgerald and fullback Craig Clare enabled them to claw their way to within 11 points of the home team at 23-34.

Clare's effort from short range came after Manawatu worked their way through 15 phases and underlined the threat they posed when they managed to keep the ball in hand.

North Harbour replacement back Ben Botica gave his side welcome breathing space with a penalty in the 67th minute, maintaining the high success rate of first five-eighth Mike Harris, who landed six of his seven goalkicks for a personal haul of 14 points.

They then made the result safe 3min later when first-half tryscorer Ken Pisi initiated a breakout from near his own 22 before offloading to wing Nafi Tuitavake, who had a clear run to the line.

But Manawatu had the final word in the final minute when second five-eighth Frank Bryant snared their bonus point fourth try after wing Lote Raikabula kicked ahead and regathered before finding his support.

North Harbour 44 (Matt Luamanu 3, Ken Pisi, Nafi Tuitavake tries; Mike Harris 2 pen, 4 con, Ben Botica pen, con) Manawatu 30 (Hamish Gosling, Michael Fitzgerald, Craig Clare, Frank Bryant tries; Isaac Thompson 2 pen, con, Clare con). Halftime: 31-11.

- NZPA