Rugby: Northland come up trumps against Turbos

Northland secured their third win of the season, with a 25-18 victory of Manawatu in Palmerston North. Photo / Getty Images

Northland came to life to post a deserved 25-18 Air NZ Cup rugby win over Manawatu in Palmerston North.

Few gave Northland much chance as they entered the eighth round match in 13th place on the standings after a wildly inconsistent campaign.

But they tipped the form book aside to secure their third win of the season on the back of an intelligent, controlled performance in blustery conditions.

Three tries-to-none was emphatic enough for Northland, whose main shortcoming was discipline as Manawatu stayed in touch through six penalties from first five-eighth Isaac Thompson.

Northland chose to play into a stiff wind in the first spell when they had much the better of the play and were unlucky to find themselves 10-12 behind at the break after their discipline let them down.

Controlling play superbly, Northland dominated territory and possession, and scored the only try of the half only to trail after Thompson slotted four of his penalties.

Manawatu were outmuscled by a Northland pack far more enthusiastic to get into their work, while the backs were tidy if conservative as they placed a premium on ball retention.

But Northland's patience was rewarded in the 36th minute when busy left wing Rene Ranger scored a fine try after his side kept the ball alive for 14 phases of play.

Ranger's penchant to look for work was evident when he loomed on the outside of right wing Simon Munro after first five-eighth Lachie Munro made the initial dab before offloading as he was falling to the ground.

The visitors introduced veteran first five-eighth David Holwell for the second half and he immediately had a hand in a try when his pass sent fullback and captain Jared Payne through a small gap just two minutes after the resumption.

Thompson responded with his fifth penalty but Northland struck back again, this time through flanker Joel McKenty, who burrowed over from a ruck on the line.

Munro's second penalty gave Northland breathing space at 25-15 entering the final quarter, which Thompson reduced with his sixth penalty 14 minutes from fulltime.

Manawatu were not helped by losing centre Johnny Leota for 10min after he was sinbinned for a dangerous tackle.

Northland 25 (Rene Ranger, Jared Payne, Joel McKenty tries; Lachie Munro 2 pen, 2 con) Manawatu 18 (Isaac Thompson 6 pen). Halftime: 10-12.

- NZPA