Running game paves way for a Northland crowd pleaser

Northland 48 Southland 12

Northland's Fijian connection ripped Southland apart so convincingly that by halftime it was clearly all over for the southerners at Okara Park.

Fijian flyers Rupeni Caucaunibuca and Fero Lasagavibau flanked an exciting Northland backline that struck lethal blows each time Southland sent the ball deep into Northland territory.

Caucaunibuca scored two tries and Lasagavibau also crossed in a seven-try fest that thrilled the fans.

Young first five-eighth James Arlidge again displayed his all-round game, with two tries, five conversions and a penalty goal for 23 points.

The result cemented Northland's place in the first division.

Caucaunibuca twice outsprinted the defence with surging sideline runs to cap off Northland counter-attacks, helping the home side to a 36-5 lead at halftime.

From there, Northland played simple, wet-weather rugby to nail the game shut in the second half.

It was an impressive winning margin for the Northlanders, who were gunning for their first home-town success this season, although the game was marred by persistent errors and a welter of knock-ons.

Sparked into action by replacement first five-eighth Earl Va'a, Southland fought back in the second spell.

But Northland kept turning the ball over with confrontational defence and unleashed Caucaunibuca and Lasagavibau at every opportunity.

Northland raced across for five first-half tries, all of them after break-outs from inside their own half, from Lasagavibau, halfback Ben Meyer, Caucaunibuca (twice) and Arlidge.

Northland always had the edge on the scoreboard and capped the game off with a fine try to Brad Miller. They were unlucky not to break 50 points when the game finished with them hard on attack.

Northland captain Glenn Taylor said his team's game plan included moving the ball wide as much as possible.

"We have some real speed on the wings and we would have been silly not to try to use it as often as we can," he said.

"But the forwards put in a lot of work. We had to do the basics up front because Southland are not a bad side when it comes to that aspect of the game."

- NZPA