Rugby: Lynn cuts Harbour's challenge to pieces

Matt Luamanu of North Harbour makes a break. Photo / Getty Images

Conventional wisdom has it that the man wearing No 1 on his back is not a regular source of tries, but Southland captain Jamie Mackintosh continues to break the mould.

The one-test prop added to his bulging grab bag of five-pointers with an opportunist effort that took the Ranfurly Shield-holders into a lead they would never relinquish against North Harbour last night.

Mackintosh dotted down for the fifth time this season midway through the first half in Invercargill after a Scott Cowan kick to the corner was fumbled by the visitors.

It was the high point of an invaluable captain's knock, but he was a distant second in the MVP stakes after a tour de force performance by centre Kendrick Lynn.

The 27-year-old was a class act from start to finish, making two tries and scoring two himself as the Shield-holders momentarily at least, went back to the top of the NPC table.

For Harbour it was another grim chapter of Shield history. They have now challenged 12 times, winning just once. In truth, they were never fancied to beat Southland, but the manner of their capitulation will add a few frown lines to the visages of coaches Craig Dowd and Jeff Wilson.

Harbour were out-matched across the park and must now be rated no better than an outside chance of sneaking into the top seven.

Southland have struggled to fashion tries in the backs, despite a wealth of talent from No 9 outwards. But they scored in the first five minutes with an outstanding individual effort.

A loose pass that failed to go to hand was picked up by second five-eighths Matt Saunders who chopped back against the grain, beating three players on his way to the line.

That spectacular opening to the game looked pedestrian compared with the way Harbour, who were dormant in the opening exchanges, got back on level terms.

Wing Nafi Tuitavake found space after Jack Tarrant made a half-bust and Southland wing James Paterson over-committed, he put the long-lost art of the in-and-away to devastating effect, beating Glen Horton then winning a sprint to the line.

Harbour were still running second-best, a fact confirmed when Mackintosh barrelled over.

The first-half lead was padded when clever hands from lock Josh Bekhuis put Lynn in space. His in-pass found Cowan who scored Southland's third converted try. Considering they had dotted down just 12 times in six games to this point, three in a half was breakneck stuff.

It didn't stop there. Another piece of smart play by Lynn saw Horton cross in the corner.

Michael Harris replied with an individual effort, but when Lynn capped his night by stepping around Jack McPhee like he wasn't there, the challenge was extinguished.

Tony Koonwaiyou scored Southland's sixth, but by that stage the large crowd was already in party mode, thinking about the stiffer challenge Auckland will provide in a fortnight. Harbour scored a third try and were pushing for an undeserved bonus point when Lynn broke away for his second.

Southland 47 - 21 North Harbour

Southland
* Tries: M Saunders, J Mackintosh, S Cowan, G Horton, K Lynn (2), T Koonwaiyou
* Cons: R Robinson (6)

North Harbour
* Tries: N Tuitavake, M Harris, B Afeaki
* Cons: M Harris (2), B Botica