Tasman blast past Harbour
North Harbour have often been something of a bogey side for Tasman, but today at Albany the northerners had no answer to a first half onslaught from the Mako men.
Tasman won the fourth round Bunnings Warehouse NPC clash at North Harbour Stadium 43-19, their third successive victory following a first round reversal, today's effort signaling the sort of form that they will need if they are to go all the way in this topsy-turvy 2025 competition.
The Mako came out of the blocks like Usain Bolt, scoring at nearly a point a minute for the first spell.
By the time a shell-shocked Harbour side retreated to the changing sheds at halftime the Mako led 31-0, having banked a bonus point and with left winger Macca Springer having scored a hat-trick.
Displaying a relentless attacking mindset, on the back of some superb tactical kicking from their playmakers behind the scrum, Tasman were clinical from the outset.
From the opening touchdown to flanker Tayne Hemopo on the back of multiple phases after two minutes, to Springer’s third when he brilliantly squeezed in at the corner in the 24th minute, the Mako strung together their best period of attacking rugby this season.
With the penalties flowing their way as well as the bounce of the ball Tasman had the match in their pocket, almost totally dominating field position and quality possession, the only down side being a couple of missed lineout throws late in the half.
The home side were always going to respond and outscored Tasman in the second spell, scoring three tries to the Mako brace, which included a fourth to Springer.
Tasman’s discipline wilted in the second 40 but they were never in peril of being chased down.
The Mako were good across the board, with halfback Mitchell Drummond a standout, the former All Black dictating the pace of the game with good decisions and pinpoint kicking. He was replaced early in the second spell by Jay Renton, a former Southland player who has been plying his trade in the USA.
Levi Aumua, Springer, Cooper Roberts and the elusive Kyren Taumoefolau were also lively throughout and influential out wide.
Among the forwards, skipper Quinten Strange, lock Hunter Leppien, hookers Tomasi Maka and Eli Oudenryn, plus loosies Sione Havili Talitui, Hemopo and Ethan Blackadder were accurate and aggressive, performing their core roles superbly.
Mako fullback David Havili said, “I’m pretty happy with the win … we want to play a good style of rugby and we got the five points, that’s what we were looking for.
He said the game plan this week was to ensure the set pieces worked well, so they could give some space to the men out wide, and that is how it worked out.
“I’m just glad we got the result and looking forward to getting home and getting ready for next week.”
Next week Tasman take on Otago in Nelson, Saturday at 7.10pm.
Scores: Tasman 43 (Macca Springer 4, Tayne Hemopo, Tomasi Maka, Hunter Leppien tries, William Havili 3 con, Cooper Grant con) North Harbour 19 (Penia Cakobau, Siaosi Nginingini, Tom Barham tries, Oscar Koller 2 con). HT: Tasman 31-0.