Auckland win Mitre 10 Cup in classic finale

Two North American internationals helped Auckland complete a stunning come-from-behind victory to win New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup competition by 40-33 over Canterbury on Saturday. It was a thrilling finale at Eden Park that saw the home side recover from a 13-point halftime deficit to earn the win in a match that stretched into two 10-minute periods of extra time.

Canadian lock Evan Olmstead played all 100 minutes in a superb man-of-the-match performance that saw him win two turnovers in the closing moments to secure the win. US Eagles hooker Mike Sosene-Feagai also played a key role, coming on as a replacement in the 57th minute and scoring in the first period of extra time to make the scores level through 90 minutes.

It was Canterbury who looked set to win their 10th title in 11 years by halftime. They enjoyed superiority in the set piece with the scrum and driving maul both inflicting much damage on the home side. A penalty try came from the maul with George Bridge’s scything run giving them a very healthy 17-0 lead with the intermission fast approaching.

Before the two teams would depart for the break, however, a quick tap by captain TJ Faiane found Tumua Manu on his shoulder for a try under the posts. Brett Cameron nailed his second penalty of the game to make it 20-7 with 40 minutes played but the lead was down to just two scores.

That would be reduced quickly in the second half as Akira Ioane blasted over from short range. Cameron broke up the momentum with two more penalties but Auckland replied with two tries. Despite the rain pouring down from the skies the home side moved the ball through the hands to create tries for Jordan Trainor and Caleb Clarke.

A chance to win the game on 80 minutes was spoiled when an Auckland front rower knocked on the ball with Harry Plummer standing in the pocket and poised to attempt a drop goal. The play had already gone on for nearly 30 phases with Canterbury refusing to concede a winning try.

The defending champions scored first in extra time. Again the forwards looked to grind down their opponents and eventually Tom Sanders forced his way over. This was erased by Sosene-Feagai in similar fashion soon after. A sniping attack down the blindside saw Melani Nanai step outside his opposite and feed Leon Fukofuka on the inside for the winning score.

It’s Auckland first top division title since 2007. They were finalists in 2015.

 

SCORING

AUCKLAND 40
Tries – T. Manu (35′), A. Ioane (48′), J. Trainor (62′), C. Clarke (72′), M. Sosene-Feagai (90′), L. Fukofuka (93′)
Cons – H. Plummer 5/6 (36′, 63′, 73′, 90′, 94′)
Pens – H. Plummer 0/2
Yellow cards – A. Ioane (29′)

CANTERBURY 33
Tries – Penalty try (29′), G. Bridge (32′), T. Sanders (85′)
Cons – B. Cameron 2/2 (33′, 86′)
Pens – B. Cameron 4/6 (11′, 40′, 52′, 56′)
Yellow cards – B. Harmon (42′)

 

TEAMS

AUCKLAND
1 Sam Prattley, 2 Robbie Abel, 3 Marcel Renata, 4 Fa’atiga Lemalu, 5 Michael Fatialofa, 6 Evan Olmstead, 7 Adrian Choat, 8 Akira Ioane, 9 Jonathan Ruru, 10 Harry Plummer, 11 Salesi Rayasi, 12 TJ Faiane (capt.), 13 Tumua Manu, 14 Melani Nanai, 15 Jordan Trainor

Replacements: 16 Mike Sosene-Feagai, 17 Jarred Adams, 18 Marco Fepulea’i, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 Leon Fukofuka, 22 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 23 Caleb Clarke

CANTERBURY
1 Alex Hodgman, 2 Nathan Vella, 3 Sef Fa’agase, 4 Luke Romano, 5 Mitchell Dunshea, 6 Reed Prinsep, 7 Billy Harmon, 8 Luke Whitelock, 9 Mitchell Drummond (capt.), 10 Brett Cameron, 11 Caleb Makene, 12 Phil Burleigh, 13 Braydon Ennor, 14 Josh McKay, 15 George Bridge

Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Harry Allan, 18 Chris King, 19 Tom Sanders, 20 Tom Christie, 21 Ere Enari, 22 Sam Beard, 23 Ngane Punivai

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Glen Jackson