Rugby: Steamers blow cold in Auckland

Dave Thomas of Auckland is tackled by John Pareanga of Bay of Plenty. Photo / Getty Images

Auckland 25 Bay of Plenty 16

Bay of Plenty have continued to slide out of contention for the premiership finals after losing 25-16 to Auckland in the ITM Cup at Eden Park today.

The Steamers have now lost four matches in a row after winning their first four games of the season and are in danger of being relegated to the championship division next year.

Auckland scored three tries to one, but trailed 13-10 at the break before taking control in the second half to retain the John Drake boot and boost their chances of making the finals.

Wing Joe Rokocoko, playing his last game on Eden Park before leaving for French club Bayonne, was busy all afternoon and featured twice in the move that led to centre Hadleigh Parkes opening the scoring in the sixth minute.

Parkes drove through a ruck close to the line for a try that was converted and moments later win Brent Ward had a try ruled out for a forward pass.

Steamers first five-eighth Chris Noakes, starting in place of Dan Waenga, slotted a penalty to get the visitors on the board but the home side continued to dominate and should have had more points on the board to show for their ascendancy.

First five-eighths Gareth Anscombe missed two kicks at goal, one bouncing off an upright, before succeeding at the third attempt.

The Steamers made the blue and whites pay for their inability to convert pressure into points to get on level terms before the break when captain Colin Bourke's quick tap from five metres out was shifted to fellow loose forward Luke Braid who went over next to the posts.

The Steamers threatened again after a scything run by centre Phil Burleigh but Bourke knocked on close to the line. They took a 13-10 lead into halftime with a Noakes penalty just before the interval.

Auckland lost lock Liaki Moli to what appeared to be a serious shoulder injury five minutes after the restart before Anscombe and Noakes traded penalties.

After a strong run from Rokocoko, Moli's replacement, New Zealand under-20 lock Steven Luatua, gave the home side back the lead with a try after a bulldozing run that left four would-be tacklers in his wake.

Replacement wing George Moala then showed impressive pace to race 60 metres upfield before fullback Dave Thomas swooped on the loose ball to dot down behind the posts and Anscombe's conversion ensured the Steamers would leave Auckland empty-handed and searching for a way to get their campaign back on track.

Auckland 25 (Hadleigh Parkes, Steven Luatua, Dave Thomas tries; Gareth Anscombe 2 pen, 2 con) Bay of Plenty 16 (Luke Braid try; Chris Noakes 3 pen, con). Halftime: 10-13.

- NZPA