Fine performance: Charles Piutau
Auckland secured their place in the ITM Cup semi-finals with a 36-16 victory over North Harbour at the North Harbour Stadium on Sunday.
North Harbour were competitive in the first half - auckland led 24-16 at half-time - but Auckland took control of proceedings after the break and the home side failed to notch any points in the second half.
Auckland full-back Charles Piutau scored one of his side's four tries and was one of their star performers. He breached North Harbour's defence on several occasions which also set up try-scoring opportunities for his team-mates.
Another player who impressed for the visitors was fly-half Gareth Anscombe who claimed 16 points through a try, four conversions and a penalty.
Although the final finishing order must still be decided, Auckland will join Wellington, Taranaki and Canterbury in the play-offs.
For North Harbour:
Try: Parsons
Con: Rei
Pens: Rei 3
For Auckland:
Tries: Piutau, Anscombe, Ta'avao, Braid, Thomas
Cons: Anscombe 4
Pen : Anscombe
North Harbour: 15 Luke Devcich. 14 Nafi Tuitavake, 13 Francis Saili, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Codey Rei, 9 Brenton Helleur, 8 Viliami Fihaki, 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Glenn Preston, 5 Filo Paulo, 4 Chris Smith, 3 Ben Afeaki (c), 2 James Parsons, 1 Alex Woonton.
Replacements: 16 Manu Leiataua, 17 Salesi Manu, 18 Api Ratuniyarawa, 19 Sam Hayes-Stevenson, 20 Bryn Hall, 21 Cory Aporo, 22 David Raikuna.
Auckland: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Ben Lam, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Lolagi Visinia, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Alby Mathewson; 8 Joe Edwards, 7 Daniel Braid (c), 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Liaki Moli, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Vella, 17 Siosiua Halonukonuka, 18 Nathan Hughes, 19 Nepia Fox-Matamua, 20 Scott Patterson, 21 Simon Hickey, 22 Dave Francis.
Comments
cuw3100 says...
What a production line NZ rugby has !!!! If me not mistaken Piutau, Anscombe, Luatua are all less than 23 years of age. Pity only XV play 'coz a NZ "A" team would also be very competitive even against some of the international opponents.
Posted 04:57 08th October 2012
Ferdie says...
Ali Williams still an outside choice for the test in Australia? He spent time with the squad over the RC, and as part of the continuing rest/rotation maybe he'll be on the bench for that one?
Posted 00:25 08th October 2012