QBE North Harbour v Southland

A promising start to both halves hasn’t been enough for Harbour as the ace kicking boot of Southland first five eighth Lima Sopoaga guided the visitors to a 25-21 win at QBE Stadium.

You couldn’t have written a better opening script for Steve Jackson’s men. Towering lock Mike Farmer charged an attempted Southland box kick from the opening ruck which led to Matt McGahan finishing a swift attack in the opening minute.

Not long after Southland hit back with a sight of things to come – former Wellington playmaker Lima Sopoaga placing the ball between the posts off the tee for the visitors’ first points of the game.

It was Harbour who were quick to respond with another sharp attack down the left side. Tevita Li provided front foot ball with a strong run which was followed by captain Bryn Hall. The halfback darted to the left of the ruck drawing in the defence before passing to centre Nafi Tuitavake who slid over for the second try of the match.

McGahan slotted the conversion from the side-line to put Harbour ahead 12-3 after ten minutes.

Southland regrouped after the fast start, piling on the pressure which led to back to back penalties inside Sopoaga’s kicking range. The number 10 reduced the deficit to 12-9 with goals in the 24^th and 30^th minute.

In his Harbour debut, fullback Robbie Robinson tried to give the hosts some much needed territory with long range tactical kicks. However an incorrect tap kick from a mark gave Robinson’s former side a golden opportunity to pounce inside the 22.

Southland halfback Scott Eade went within inches of scoring from the scrum, only for flanker Jordan Manihera to hold him up over the line. At the next play Willis Halaholo went even closer only for Harbour to deny the second five by holding the attacker up over the line for the second straight play. Halaholo wasn’t to be denied in the next possession, as the blockbusting midfielder barged his way over for Southland’s first try.

A Lima Sopoaga conversion put the visitors up 16-12, leaving the game evenly poised as both sides headed up the tunnel for a well-earned breather.

Similar to the first half, Harbour jumped out of the gates quickly. Matt McGahan opened the second half scoring with a penalty, which was backed up not long after by a dropped goal from Robbie Robinson to give the hosts an 18-16 lead. The scoreboard kept ticking in threes as McGahan converted another penalty in the 53^rd minute.

Just when it looked like Harbour were on track for their first win of the regular season, basic errors and ill-discipline at the ruck allowed Southland to get back into the match. Sopoaga reduced the gap with a penalty in the 56^th minute, followed by another in the 63^rd minute to give the visitors a 22-21 advantage.

Head coach Steve Jackson opted for some fresh legs, bringing on the likes of Ray Niuia and Daniel Halangahu to provide some more spark. After fighting their way up the field, once again poor ball retention at the ruck led to a Southland penalty.

The Southerners then got themselves into prime real estate for Sopoaga to kick his sixth penalty of the night to move the margin to 25-21 with two minutes to spare; meaning Harbour needed a try to win it.

The home side gave themselves a fighting chance after retaining the ball off the kick-off. The ball was spun out to the right where Harbour made some inroads into Southland’s defence. Patient darts around the ruck got the hosts within scoring distance. But just when a cool head was needed, white line fever prevailed as Southland turned over the ball and booted it out for their second win of the season.

Improvements were made from the first outing against Otago, however some basic errors in crucial moments will be a concern for the coaches who have nine days to mull over the result before getting back on the paddock against Premiership side Waikato on 30 August at QBE Stadium.

Southland 25 (Willis Halaholo try; Lima Sopoaga 6 pen, con), North Harbour 21 (Matt McGahan, Nafi Tuitavake tries; Matt McGahan 2 pen, con. Robbie Robinson dropped goal).