05/08/2016 

The Auckland Mitre 10 Cup team has gone down in their opening pre-season match of the season, losing 45-21 to North Harbour at QBE Stadium.

While there were some promising signs, with a number of players running out for the first time in the blue and white hoops, the team did struggle to adapt to the new breakdown laws and could not contain an exciting North Harbour back line.

It was an enterprising start with Auckland building phases and receiving a number of early penalties.

In pre-season fashion instead of looking to the posts, the Auckland team took the opportunity to test their set piece and from a five metre scrum they were able to score the first points.

Going to the blindside, Jono Hickey through a skip pass out to the wing for Sailosi Vatabua to go over in the corner. Simon Hickey converted for the early 7-0.

That was as a good as it got in the opening stanza, with North Harbour running in three tries to take a 21-7 lead.

On several occasions Auckland was penalised at the break down, unable to adjust to the new laws. North Harbour on the other hand was able to disrupt and slow down Auckland ball and each of their tries came off the back of slick back line passing.

North Harbour extended their lead in the second spell with two further tries to get out to a 33-7 lead.

With the injection of some fresh legs into the Auckland team, the try line was found once again after 55 minutes.

After a sound line out Simon Hickey threw a neat inside ball to Pryor Collier who was running at pace. Collier went 45 metres and did well to wrong-foot the last defender to go over for the five pointer.

Stacey Ili was rewarded for a hard-working performance with a try, Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald kicking through the line and Ili diving on it over the line.

At 33-21, the Auckland team were on the verge of a comeback but it was not to be, instead North Harbour ran in two late tries to win 45-21.

Auckland coach Nick White said it was a good hit out for the team who had yet to play a match under the new laws.

“Obviously we didn’t want to lose by that much but it was a good eye opener for some of our boys,” said White.

“It highlighted the pace the game is going to be played under these new laws and the accuracy you have to have at the breakdown because it’s too easy to give away penalties.”

With several players out through injury or still not back from Super Rugby duties, White was happy to see a number of players get an opportunity at this level.

“It was a chance for a lot of boys who are on the fringe or in the development team or colts what level they need to get to and what the pace is like.”

The team will now prepare to play Bay of Plenty next Friday.

North Harbour 45

Auckland 21 (S Vatabua, P Collier, S Ili tries, S Hickey 2 con, T Elkington-MacDonald con)