• Auckland got off to a fast start, opening up a 28-14 lead at the break
• North Harbour came storming back into the contest to lock it up at 28-all with 20 minutes to go
• Auckland next travel to the far North to take on Northland in Whangarei

Auckland and North Harbour have ground out a draw result in the wet at Eden Park tonight. Both sides had opportunities to claim the opening round spoils, but were unable to capitalise at crucial moments throughout the course of the 80 minutes.

Auckland were the first to strike in the new season for the two sides. Harry Plummer provided a deft grubber through for Caleb Clarke to gather just inside the attacking half. From there the young winger was able to shrug away several would be defenders before linking up with TJ Faiane who was able to put fellow midfielder Tanielu Tele’a in enough space to score.

Salesi Rayasi was then in on the action soon after. From a seemingly standing start near the attacking 22-metre line, the Auckland Fullback was able to show deft footwork to slide through the defence and provide for Hoskins Sotutu to slide over in the wet.

Harbour weren’t out of it for long, and in the 20^th minute found themselves a way through; a period of sustained forward dominance at scrum and breakdown saw Lock Gerard Cowley-Tuioti burrow his way over from close-range to narrow the gap.

The blue and white hoops then flipped the script and were able to dominate up-front for the next few minutes. Attacking via the rolling maul close to the North Harbour line saw Referee Paul Williams show no hesitation in awarding a penalty try and sending Harbour’s Halfback Bryn Hall to the bin.

The next try went to the visitors, and more from an Auckland mistake than anything else. An innocuous kick from North Harbour rolled-out inside the Auckland 22-metre allowing Wing Caleb Clarke to take a quick throw-in. Salesi Rayasi was unlucky to drop the ball cold allowing those from across the bridge to put it through the hands and go over adjacent to the uprights.

Right before the break, Auckland were able to extend their lead back out once more after an extended period of domination at scrum time. With the pack moving forward at a rate of knots, Hoskins Sotutu took full advantage and barged his way over from close-range to leave the Auks leading at the break, 28-14.

The first ten minutes of the second spell was a little middling with both teams having several chances to open the scoring, but unable to take the opportunities on offer.

Harbour however, were able to strike twice in quick succession after the 50^th minute. First through Karl Tu’inukuafe and then Luatangi Li. Both efforts similar in nature with powerful leg drive and low body height proving too much to handle close to the line.

And the scores then stayed level right up until the 80^th minute. The match turning into a true arm wrestle and battle living up to it’s name in terms of physicality and exertion from all involved.

Auckland, looking for one last opportunity pushed the boat out a fraction too far and gave away penalty for not releasing at the tackle. North Harbour’s Jared Page had the chance to win it from 45-metres out with a shot on goal, but the ball fell agonisingly away at the last moment, leaving the scores locked at 28-all. Both sides leaving the opening round with 2 competition points apiece.

Auckland 28 (T Tele’a, H Sotutu 2 tries; H Plummer 2 conversions; penalty try)

North Harbour 28 (G Cowley-Tuioti, A Tikoirotuma, K Tu’inukuafe, L Li tries; J Page 4 conversions)

Halftime: 28 - 14