Tasman Mako entered the 50th NPC season as the competition favourites, but North Harbour ensured there would be no easy start to the campaign as the hosts battled to a 31-29 win at Trafalgar Park in Nelson last night.
Before kick-off, former North Harbour captain and Sky Television sideline commentator James Parsons predicted his old side would get much closer than many pundits expected.
He was right as the Mako's 20th anniversary celebrations got off to a shaky start against the province they faced in their inaugural match in 2006.
The home side turned over the opening kick-off but was pinned inside its own 22m area until Harbour struck from a lineout move in the fourth minute.
When the Mako finally gained possession, the ball was shifted wide to debutant wing Leo Marfell. With only his second touch of the match, Marfell took off from his own 10m line, sold a dummy to his opposite number and raced away to score after 11 minutes.
First five William Havili landed an excellent sideline conversion, but the lead was short-lived.
Harbour threatened again from a lineout drive and, after the Mako defended desperately for three minutes, hooker Bryn Gordon eventually forced his way over. Referee Maggie Cogger-Orr had no hesitation awarding the try.
A penalty for illegal entry at the ruck allowed Harbour to extend its lead to 15-7.
The Mako struggled at lineout time, a concern against a side from a region that handed them three home defeats last season.
But when Tasman secured possession from a lineout close to the line in the 36th minute, wing Kyren Taumoefolau pounced on a loose ball and dived over amid a mass of bodies.
Six minutes later he had his second try after Marfell joined the attack and linked with fullback Taine Robinson, who provided the final pass.
Havili converted from the touchline and the Mako took a 19-15 lead into halftime.
Marfell looked set to add another shortly after the break but was brought down heavily near the line.
From the ensuing scrum, second five David Havili hurled himself at the defence but was held up over the line.
There was no stopping midfield partner Cooper Roberts moments later. Roberts intercepted a North Harbour pass on halfway and sprinted away to score.
The visitors, who had won warm-up matches against Northland and Hawke's Bay, refused to go away.
Straight from the restart, Harbour struck back when veteran halfback Bryn Hall released centre Leo Gordon, who crashed through three defenders to narrow the gap to two points.
The Mako regained some breathing room when a Harbour kick was charged down and confusion in the backfield saw two defenders collide. Roberts kicked ahead and Taumoefolau chased, toed the ball forward and dived on it to complete his hat-trick.
At 31-22 the game appeared under control, but Harbour responded again when Hall's clever chip kick sat up perfectly for Tom Barham, who brushed aside William Havili in a 30m dash to the line.
That set up a tense final 15 minutes, but the Mako held on for a 31-29 victory to mark their 20th anniversary and new captain Johnny Lee's first match in charge.
“Definitely a bit close for comfort. Being the 20th year, we had to put out a performance for the fans. We have a few work on but happy with the result,” Johnny says.
Tasman Mako 31 (Kyren Taumoefolau 3, Leo Marfell and Cooper Roberts tries, William Havili three conversions) beat North Harbour 29 (Tom Barham 2, Bryn Gordon and Leo Gordon tries, Cam Howell a penalty goal and two conversions, Coby Miln one conversion).
