KEY POINTS:
North Harbour bounced back from last week's humiliation to score a bonus point victory and skip into the top half of the Air NZ Cup rugby competition standings today.
After leading just 13-11 at halftime, they scored three tries to beat Manawatu 34-16 at North Harbour Stadium for a happier week than last week, when they were left pondering a 7-52 belting from Waikato and the loss of the Ranfurly Shield.
North Harbour made far more play than Manawatu today and dominated second-phase ball, and though the result was not in doubt after the first sevens minutes - when they led 10-0 - they made a hard work of it. Their three second-half tries at wide intervals reflected that.
Had Manawatu first five-eighth Matty James succeeded more than twice at goalkicks, particularly before halftime, the tide could have changed.
Nevertheless, players such as incisive midfielder Anthony Tuitavake, who was Harbour's key in both attack and defence, did things with more authority and it was just a matter of time before the Manawatu defence succumbed.
Fullback George Pisi sliced through the Manawatu defence in the fourth minute for the opening try and McPhee, who scored 19 points including a try, kicked the conversion and added a penalty for a 10-0.
Manawatu were quick to respond, with midfielder Johnny Leota carving up the Harbour defence with a straight run to allow big prop Talau Hala rammed his way through for a try.
McPhee kicked his second penalty goal before McPhee succeeded with two penalty kicks from four around halftime to close the gap to 11-13.
Halfback Brett Ingham took advantage of the momentum Tuitavake started with his penetrating power and scored Harbour's second try in the 50th minute, with McPhee converting it.
Prop James Afoa increased their lead with a try in the 63rd minute when Harbour's forwards worked hard in recycling the ball and McPhee touched down nine minutes later, the result of another forward surge.
Ahead 34-11, Harbour were out of danger even though Manawatu managed a second try, in the 74th minute through James.
"We were just disappointing, we turned over too much ball and they punished us," Manawatu captain John Bradnock said.
North Harbour's stand-in captain Greg Rawlinson said the win was badly needed by his team.
"Last week was pretty hard for us. A lot of heads were down. We had a bit of regroup, a bit of a talking session together and I think they guys responded well," he said.
"It wasn't a perfect performance by any means, but we got a bit of confidence from the win - that was really crucial."
NZPA
