Counties squeeze past plucky Manuwatu

Counties Manukau got the job done but were made to graft for their 29-24 bonus-point win over Manawatu in Palmerston North on Thursday.

In what has become the norm in this competition, both sides stayed true to their attacking roots, giving the ball plenty of air throughout and Counties outscored their hosts four tries to three.

The visitors can count themselves lucky, however, as their discipline let them down badly after Tim Nanai-Williams and Tevita Nabura spent time in the sin bin, and they finished the match with 14 men when Augustine Pulu was red carded for a dangerous tackle on Jade Te Rure.

Nanai-Williams was yellow carded for deliberately knocking the ball down inside his 22, before the hosts took the lead via a Michael Alaalatoa in the ninth minute.

Otere Black converted before Stephen Donald added a penalty for Counties but Black restored parity for the home side when he succeeded with a penalty of his own in the 16th minute.

Manawatu were also dealt a blow, when Antonio Kirikiri was sent to the sin bin for a cynical defensive foul in the 19th minute and shortly afterwards Counties made their numerical advantage count when Ronald Raaymakers scored their first try.

Donald scored their second try five minutes later before Manuwatu struck back with a five-pointer from Newton Tudreu. Counties finished the half stronger, however, and a Orbyn Leger five-pointer on the stroke of half-time gave them a 20-17 lead at the interval.

Manawatu were fastest out of the blocks after the restart and regined the lead in the 50th minute when Ambrose Curtis crossed for a converted try. Counties suffered a further setback when Nabura received his marching orders for a late tackle in the build-up to the try.

The visitors did well to repel several Manawatu attacks as the clock winded down and they secured their win in the 62nd minute courtesy of a Nigel Ah Wong try, although the result was soured by Pulu’s red card later on.

The scorers:

For Manawatu:
Tries: Alaalatoa, Tudreu, Curtis
Cons: Black 3
Pen: Black
Yellow Card: Kirikiri

For Counties Manukau:
Tries: Raaymakers, Donald, Leger, Ah Wong
Cons: Donald 3
Pen: Donald
Yellow Cards: Nanai-Williams, Nabura
Red Card: Pulu

Manawatu: 15 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 14 Newton Tudreu, 13 Lewis Marshall, 12 Jason Emery, 11 Ambrose Curtis, 10 Otere Black, 9 Kayne Hammington, 8 Brice Henderson, 7 Antonio Kiri Kiri, 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Jackson Hemopo, 4 Tom Parsons, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Tom Crozier, 1 Fraser Armstrong
Replacements: 16 Hunter Prescott, 17 Tuki Raimona, 18 Sean Paranihi, 19 Liam Hallam-Eames, 20 Harrison Brewer, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Jade Te Rure, 23 Hamish Northcott

Counties Manukau: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Luteru Laulala, 13 Nigel Ah Wong, 12 Orbyn Leger, 11 Tevita Nabura, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Samuel Henwood, 7 Fotu Lokotui, 6 Ronald Raaymakers, 5 Matiaha Martin, 4 Jimmy Tupou, 3 Coree Te Whata-Colley, 2 Joseph Royal, 1 Pauliasi Manu
Replacements: 16 Gafatasi Su’a, 17 Sean Bagshaw, 18 Kalolo Tuiloma, 19 Viliame Rarasea, 20 Johnathan Kawau, 21 Liam Daniela, 22 Baden Kerr, 23 Kalione Hala

Referee:  Glen Jackson