News

Plenty of positives for Steelers against North Harbour

21 July 2010

Counties Manukau Steelers took plenty of positives from their 22-21 loss to North Harbour in their pre-season clash at Bayer Growers Stadium tonight.

The Steelers out-scored Harbour three tries to one and secured a solid platform for most of the game which should give them confidence ahead of the upcoming ITM Cup that kicks off at the end of the month.

The Steelers enjoyed a very solid first 60 minutes with the forwards winning their lineouts and holding firm at scrum time which would have pleased set piece coach Steve Jackson.

The shape fell away with the high number of replacements in the second half but overall it was an encouraging display with a good sized crowd braving the midweek conditions to check out the team and especially former All Black Tana Umaga who played strongly.

Both sides, particularly the Steelers, were pinged repeatedly at the breakdown, a feature that coach Milton Haig will no doubt be working on the training ground.

Harbour made the early running with Luke McAlister converting four penalty chances in the first half as the visitors opted for the bonus points rather than more attacking options.

It took the Steelers 17 minutes to push on to their first attack when Siale Piutau scored after a superb break and in-pass by Tim Nanai-Williams.

They added a second try after 28 minutes when No 8 Viliami Fihaki powered over from a quickly taken tap after a series of penalties against Harbour to give the home side the 14-12 halftime advantage.

A further McAlister penalty gave Harbour the lead 15 minutes into the second half and from there the game struggled for the same level in the wet and slippery conditions with the large number of replacements.

Harbour No 8 Mathew Luamanu forced his way over in some weak tackling from an otherwise staunch Steelers defence.

Fritz Lee finished things on a high note when he finished off an enterprising move from good phase play with Baden Kerr's conversion bringing them back to within a point of Harbour.

Counties Manukau Steelers 21 (Siale Piutau, Viliami Fihaki, Fritz Lee tries; Dean Cummins 2 cons, Baden Kerr con) North Harbour 22 (Mathew Luamanu try; Luke McAlister 5 pen; Michael Harris con)

Halftime 14-12. Click here to view match photos