Rugby: Turbo power sinks Mooloos

Aaron Cruden gave a flawless goalkicking display landing all 10 attempts. Photo / Getty Images

Manawatu 54 Waikato 20

The last time Manawatu beat Waikato was 1987 - the same year the All Blacks won one of the Webb Ellis Cups - and there were some interesting parallels yesterday.

The Turbos have built an impressive unbeaten home record at FMG Stadium this year - just like the All Blacks at Eden Park. One of their quicksilver backs, Nehe Milner-Skudder, has two names of well-performed All Blacks and Waikato, just like the All Blacks, decided to do without Stephen Donald at first five-eighths, playing promising Trent Renata there instead.

However, if it was promise being sought, there was no need to direct the gaze any further than the other 10, Aaron Cruden. The decision to leave him out of All Black considerations in favour of ITM Cup rugby seems a sound one.

Cruden is developing hand over fist and, each week, his confidence is rising. His goalkicking, kicking from hand, defence, and ability to marshal a game were the main criticism of the young man but he has been busily burying most of those analyses this season. As Manawatu started breezily, claiming a soft try to James Oliver after a scrum snafu by Waikato, Cruden stepped up to the plate.

Waikato's big problem was ball retention in the face of some enthusiastic defending by Manawatu. In an attack just after Oliver's try, Waikato steamrollered towards the Turbos' line. A stinging tackle by another Manawatu hero, nuggety halfback Aaron Smith, knocked the ball loose and it was worked to Cruden.

He produced a little chip kick near his own line which was executed perfectly, with the bounce wrongfooting Waikato and Cruden fielded his own kick, dodging and ducking and sparking a beautiful, 95-metre try to winger Craig Clare.

When skipper Nick Crosswell crossed after another smooth movement involving a floated Cruden pass, Manawatu were up 21-0 and the game already seemed beyond Waikato.

That impression firmed when they went out to 35-3 after Cruden himself scored after a sinuous, twisting run and centre Asaeli Tikoirotuma scored a runaway try after the excellent Smith pulled off another aggressive tackle on defence and the Manawatu forwards barrelled over to claim the turnover. Flanker Doug Tietjens, burst up the middle and his offload stuck like flypaper as Tikoirotuma sped 70m for the try.

It was heady stuff and Manawatu had their biggest and most prestigious Premiership scalp yet. At the top of the Championship, they had already beaten Premiership teams Taranaki and Wellington - and this was their best win of the season.

Waikato struck back late in the first half with back-to-back tries to midfielder Jackson Willison and centre Save Tokula but Cruden notched four penalties to keep Manawatu's engine ticking over in the second half. Waikato tried hard but their night reached its nadir when replacement midfielder Lewis Marshall picked off a hopeful long pass by Waikato and he strolled 50m for the try.

Cruden (he scored 29 points) was indisputably man of the match and his great strength - his running - is in fine working order.

Aaron Smith wasn't far behind with his excellent defensive qualities, clever tactical kicking and some sterling support work as well.

Manawatu 54 (J. Oliver, C. Clare, N. Crosswell, A. Cruden, A. Tikoirotuma, L. Marshall tries, A. Cruden 6 con 4 pen), Waikato 20 (T. Mikkelsen, S. Tokula tries, T. Renata 2 con, 2 pen). Halftime: 35-17.