Big brothers Auckland too strong for Harbour

A highly anticipated Battle of the Bridge encounter fizzled out as one way traffic with Auckland powering to a convincing 32-7 victory over Harbour.

Head coach Steve Jackson summarised it bluntly.

“They outmuscled us up front, they brought good line speed in defence. When they tackled they tackled hard and smashed us, and when they carried the ball they did it with purpose.”

After a shoddy start which included three straight errors, Auckland first five eighth Gareth Anscombe began to run his men around the park. Into the wind the blue and white hoops began to march into Harbour territory through continued go forward ball.

Ben Lam made the most of some simple but effective build up play by the hosts to score the opening try of the game after 12 minutes of play. Anscombe failed to convert but a penalty not long after put Auckland ahead 8-0 through a quarter of the match.

With fifteen minutes left in the half Harbour had their best try scoring opportunity. A towering torpedo bomb by fullback Robbie Robinson landed in open real estate, and Bryn Hall grubbered the ball on towards the line. The perfect bounce wasn’t to be however, with Lolagi Visinia denying the Harbour skipper his side’s opening points.

Auckland lifted as the rain poured down on the Eden Park faithful. Gareth Anscombe had a shaky night with the boot, but a penalty right on halftime gave the hosts an 11-0 lead with the pleasure of having the wind at their backs in the second forty.

To make matters worse for Harbour, workhorse Jordan Manihera suffered an ankle injury which forced Brandon Nansen on after the break.

Harbour showed plenty of endeavour in the opening ten minutes of the second forty, but some physicality at the tackle and the breakdown by the hosts became too much to handle. A turnover led to a swift Auckland attack, which was ended out wide by Hadleigh Parkes to push the margin out to 18-0.

As both coaches emptied their benches the game between to open up. Some helter-skelter attack by Harbour just lacked the finishing touch. With six minutes remaining, the holes began to grow wider in the visitors’ defensive line. Replacement hooker Gafatasi Su’a crashed over from short range off the back of a sharp backline move, which was followed by a solo effort by Gareth Anscombe to push the score out to 32-0.

With a scoreless match looking likely for Harbour, Pita Ahki snapped up a loose ball from inside his half right on fulltime to cruise in for a consolation try which was nicely converted by Matt McGahan.

There were limited positives to draw on for Jackson, with Canterbury waiting in the wings midweek.

“Our scrum was ok, but you know it was a night where the guys got shown how to play rugby at a different level. There’s no excuses, but we can’t dwell on this game we’ve got Canterbury in a couple of days. Have to take it on the chin.”

It looks highly unlikely Jordan Manihera will take any part in Wednesday’s ITM Cup crossover match, after the blindside flanker went to hospital for an x-ray on his injured ankle.

Auckland 32 (Ben Lam, Hadleigh Parkes, Gafatasi Su’a, Gareth Anscombe tries; Gareth Anscombe 2 pen, 2 con, Simon Hickey con) QBE Harbour 7 (Pita Ahki try; Matt McGahan con).