Dizzy
First XV
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- Jun 15, 2007
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The match was evenly poised for the first hour but Auckland physically overwhelmed a tiring Counties, scoring four tries in the final 20 minutes to claim a bonus point win.
Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino and Joe Rokocoko put in solid 80-minute efforts for Auckland while Isaia Toeava made a strong second-half impact in his return from a hip injury.
In the first half, the game would sometimes resemble bullrush as Counties attacked from almost everywhere but were undone by numerous handling errors.
In the second half the home side were simply bullied by a relentless Auckland defence.
It was the first time Tana Umaga has played three consecutive games all season but he showed no signs of weariness. He took the ball up in the very first minute; later covered good ground to deny an Auckland try near the corner post; threw a key pass for the first try; backslammed Rokocoko into the ground forcing a turnover and got across to stop a try in the very last act of the match.
Aukland- 37
Counties Manukau- 13
Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino and Joe Rokocoko put in solid 80-minute efforts for Auckland while Isaia Toeava made a strong second-half impact in his return from a hip injury.
In the first half, the game would sometimes resemble bullrush as Counties attacked from almost everywhere but were undone by numerous handling errors.
In the second half the home side were simply bullied by a relentless Auckland defence.
It was the first time Tana Umaga has played three consecutive games all season but he showed no signs of weariness. He took the ball up in the very first minute; later covered good ground to deny an Auckland try near the corner post; threw a key pass for the first try; backslammed Rokocoko into the ground forcing a turnover and got across to stop a try in the very last act of the match.
Aukland- 37
Counties Manukau- 13
