At Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei: Counties Manukau 22 (Sione Molia try 22min, Gibson Popoali’i try 54min, Adam Morrison try 68min; AJ Alatimu 2 con, pen) Northland 19 (Sam Nock try 5min, James Ramm try 33min, Corey Evans try 63min; Rivez Reihana 2 con) HT: 5-14.
For just the second time in their history, Counties Manukau have lifted the Ranfurly Shield, after a remarkable 22-19 against-the-odds triumph against Northland in Whangārei on Saturday.
The Steelers beat the Taniwha 22-19 in Whangarei on Saturday afternoon in a tense encounter that ensured the Log o’ Wood would travel south to Pukekohe.
Northland were top of the points table while Counties had just two wins prior to their victory and were second-to-last.
A penalty goal kicked by AJ Alatimu broke the 19-19 deadlock in the 79th minute as Northland, who had All Black Simon Parker starting with the No 8 on his back at Semenoff Stadium, looked on with disappointment and frustration.
“I backed the skipper’s call, just got to do my job and thank God it went over,’’ Alatimu told Sky Sport. ”I was just trying to zone everything out, but just line up the ball, count to four, and then kick and hope it goes over.“
The shield will now go on the line at Pukekohe when the Steelers host Hawke’s Bay next weekend.
Counties scored three tries to secure just their third win of the season.
While their chances of making the NPC playoffs are over, they now have everything to play for next weekend.
Counties last held the shield in 2013. Captain and lock Jimmy Tupou was in that side but said the victory over the Taniwha was more memorable.
“It’s a bit extra-special to be honest,’’ Tupou told Sky Sport.
“The first time I was probably a little bit young and naive. We had a bit of a star-studded team. To come back at the end of my career and to be able to give these boys [his team-mates] an experience of what it does …’’
While Northland still remain at the top of the NPC competition table – for now – they will be bitterly disappointed to not lock the shield away for the summer.
After holding a 14-5 lead at halftime the Taniwha were forced to fight tooth and nail to keep the tenacious Steelers at bay.
And, eventually, they cracked.
Given the Taniwha had a strong wind behind them in the first half, which was supposed to be a big advantage, their supporters may have pointed their noses to the breeze and admitted to feeling nervous.
Halfback Sam Nock and right wing James Ramm scored tries in the first spell for Northland, with No 10 Rivez Reihana converting both, while left wing Sione Molia contributed the only points for the Steelers with his try.
The second half was tense and riddled with drama as the Taniwha looked in danger of blowing their lead.
Midfielder Corey Evans scored a crucial try in the 62nd minute to give his side a seven-point buffer, but Reihana had his conversion charged down.
When Steelers fullback Adam Morrison scored a try six minutes later, it provided the turning point.
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