Rugby: Tasman hold on in last gasp thriller

Auckland have two games left. Photo / Getty Images

Tasman 30
Auckland 28

Consider this: a bonus point win over Tasman last night would have had Auckland top of the premiership.

Instead Auckland have two games left against Bay of Plenty at home and Waikato away and still sit fifth. The odds on making the top two are remote. But in this competition best not count one's chickens.

Remember this was bottom in the second tier ITM Cup championship against a possible premiership finalist. Gap? What gap?

Auckland were awful too often last night, lacking real authority against committed skilful opponents, but even so came within a whisker of scraping a draw at the last.

After three minutes of waves of Auckland attacks, replacement Gareth Anscombe's bold chipped cross kick delivered a try to Hadleigh Parkes. But with Tasman and Auckland players holding their collective breath, the conversion slid wide.

When you have rugby at last night's frenetic pace it is often exhilarating, and the mistakes tend to mount up. Tasman had begun the better, Auckland had battled back and what had been a rather muddling, albeit spirited contest, had turned into rollicking good viewing.

Auckland simply had no idea of the importance of treasuring possession. Turnovers were handed over like lollies at a picnic, Tasman were throwing themselves into the fray and there were ominous signs for the visitors.

Tasman had given themselves the ideal start when first five-eighths James Marshall flirted with the righthand touchline before scooting across inside the first five minutes.

After Piers Francis had kicked his first points for Auckland, Tasman captain Andrew Goodman had replied, to maintain the seven-point advantage, something strange happened.

A cavalier spirit settled on both teams and the game was suddenly transformed. Within eight minutes there were three tries, reward for outstanding support work.

Auckland got a cracker, through fullback Brent Ward, after 11 phases of play and strong work from Francis and Parkes, and deft handling from replacement lock Liaki Moli.

Then when Parkes broke between two Tasman forwards and chipped ahead, Marshall made a hash of the tidy up operation and Teddy Stanaway will never get a kinder bounce 5m from the tryline.

Brawny Tasman No 8 Mark Bright, in his 50th game, then capped off a splendid piece of interpassing with both Marshalls, James and fullback Tom.

The best of the lot? Try Bright's backhand flick in the 54th minute to livewire flanker Shane Christie, who galloped 50m for Goodman to finish. Terrific. And just enough of a cushion.

Tasman 30 (J. Marshall, M. Bright, A. Goodman tries; A. Goodman 3 pen, 3 con)

Auckland 28 (B. Ward, T. Stanaway, H. Parkes tries; P. Francis pen, 2 con; G. Anscombe 2 pen). HT: 17-17