Rugby: Harbour's second half revival

Sevens star David Raikuna blazed through the Tasman defence tonight. Photo / File

North Harbour 39
Tasman 15

The big question out of North Harbour's first win of the season tonight is this: what was in their halftime water?

At that point Tasman were 15-6 up, and deservedly so. They were organised, had the better of possession and territory and looked sharper.

They'd scored two good tries - wing Lucky Mulipola roaring through a big gap, after a suggestion of an accidental block on a Harbour tackler, to set up fullback Robbie Malneek; then big No 8 Mark Bright backing up expertly to finish smart play by Malneek and nippy left wing Mitchell Scott.

Mulipola had also fumbled a low ball five metres from the Harbour line with no one in front of him, after a nifty set move. It seemed as if Harbour's grim start in Dunedin last week would continue.

Instead it was as if Harbour had swallowed a couple of confidence pills under the stand. They came out fired up, importantly got early points, sustained the pressure and as Tasman wilted so Harbour grew in self-belief. Resolute late defence, and a 33-0 second-half scoreline, completed a satisfying night.

Four tries were rattled on from the 46th to 59th minutes, two for No 8 Matthew Luamanu and one apiece to wings David Raikuna - with a classic winger's finish tight to the left-hand touchline - and Ken Pisi, who raced on to a Ben Botica inside flip pass to speed 25m to the Tasman line.

Replacement hooker Manu Leiataua's try after the hooter came after the ball had gone through nine pairs of hands. What about a simple hoof into touch? No fear. Harbour were on a roll and finished in style.

Tasman, backing up from losing in Whangarei last Saturday, tried valiantly but looked knackered by the end. They won't be the only team doing it tough in the final quarter of this squashed ITM Cup.

Harbour heroes? The scrum was solid, the lineout superior to Tasman's and had several sources of ball.

Lock James King was outstanding at the lineout and in general play. The rest of the pack played their parts well, while Botica, the odd moment of indecision aside, kicked impressively and visibly grew in assurance.

"The big onus was on our set piece tonight. I think that was a big difference," captain Chris Smylie said.

North Harbour 39 (M. Luamanu 2, D. Raikuna, K. Pisi, M. Leiataua tries; B. Botica 2 pen, 4 con)
Tasman 15 (R. Malneek, M. Bright tries; A. Goodman pen, con.)
HT: 6-15.