Two long range intercept tries helped Tasman put away Northland 28-14 at Whangarei's Semenoff Stadium today, the third match of the Mako NPC season.
There was an immediate setback when flanker Johnny Lee suffered a leg injury in just the fourth minute. He was replaced by Sione Havili Talitui who was coming back from ankle surgery for his first appearance of the season before joining Tonga for international commitments next week.
Having survived sustained pressure from the Taniwha, the Mako struck in the 17th minute.
Fullback David Havili found space and linked with Macca Springer who turned the ball back inside for hooker Eli Oudenryn to score.
Second five Levi Aumua then pounced on a loose pass in the midfield, from the home side, and dashed 40 metres to score.
Remarkably they were in again four minutes later, when Springer plucked a loose pass out of the air and also sprinted 40m unchallenged.
But in a repeat of last week, the Mako were held scoreless in the third quarter as the hosts regrouped and drove over from a lineout maul.
David Havili stopped Crusaders teammate Rivez Reihana, in his tracks, as he was darting for the goal line. However when former Mako Solomon Alaimalo came off his wing, the extra man in the backline gave fullback Jordan Trainor the space to score, closing the gap to 21-14 as heavy rain set in.
Cue first five William Havili who stepped up with a half-break and offload to Sione Havili Talitui who crashed over for the four try bonus point in the 63rd minute.
Late in the game Leicester Faigna’anuku switched from centre to the side of his scrum in his new hybrid role as the Mako held on to win 28-14.
The Mako women were also in action in Whangarei today, losing 25-7 to the Northland Kauri, who led 25-0 at halftime.
