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Phil Walter/Getty Images
TK Howden celebrates on the fulltime whistle after Manawatū beat Auckland at Eden Park for the first time since 1980.
Belief is surging through the Manawatu Turbos’ camp after a historic win over Auckland.
Manawatū beat Auckland 33-31 at the death in Auckland on Wednesday night, the Turbos first win over the heavyweights since 1981, and first win at Eden Park since 1980. It would be one of the biggest wins in the union’s history.
After going winless last year and losing their first three games of the season this year, the Turbos have a new lease of life after beating Northland last week and now knocking over Auckland.
The Turbos had also made 14 changes to the starting team with an eye on their third game of the week against Tasman in Nelson on Sunday.
Auckland led 14-0 and 21-14 in the first half and had looked to have won the game with a late 90-metre intercept try when Manawatū were attacking their line.
But the Turbos rallied by scoring two tries, with replacement loosie Julian Goerke being put through a hole on Auckland’s line to score the winner on fulltime.
Manawatū coach Mike Rogers said the win was awesome.
“Especially because they just hung at it and especially that intercept try, I thought that was going to be the end.
“They chased it and made him score in the corner. I thought there’s still some fight in these boys and they scored two tries in the last nine minutes.”
The coaching staff were hugging and Rogers was banging on the window of the coaches box.
“The boys are buzzing. The crazy thing is when you break the game down, against Wellington we were really competitive.
“We were there or thereabouts against Taranaki except for 10 bad minutes at the end of the first half, other than that it was a competitive game.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Manawatū No 8 Terrell Peita scores a try from a move off a lineout drive.
“Canterbury totally outclassed us and that made us have a good hard look at ourselves. Now how do we get the boys to believe.”
Manawatū have jumped to eighth place, but there was a round of games this weekend. After a lean trot, there was belief in the team now.
Rogers said the goal had been to reach the top eight and the playoffs, and that hadn’t changed even after three losses to start the season.
“It’s awesome we’ve won a couple of games. It helps with the belief and the scarring with losing that many games.
“You’re always going to have a crack at making the top eight and then anything can happen.”
Rogers hoped the two wins would lead to an increase in support, and he wanted to see more people at the next home game next weekend against North Harbour.
His plans for team selection have now changed for the Tasman game, with some players who stood out against Auckland playing their way into the side.
One of those is exciting young wing Waqa Nalaga, who had a standout game, scoring a try, setting up another and threatening out wide. He was likely to start against Tasman, especially with wing Taniela Filimone out injured.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Debutant Waqa Nalaga, left, celebrates scoring a try with Nehe Milner-Skudder.
Midfielder James Tofa was another. He also had a strong game making breaks and running hard.
New Canadian hooker Andrew Quattrin, who arrived in New Zealand on Tuesday, played the full 80 minutes and looked good.
Centre Kegan Christian-Goss had his best game in a Turbos jersey, while flanker TK Howden was into everything and helped keep Manawatū in the game with a late try
Manawatū’s scrum was unsteady but they won their ball. Their lineout drive was a weapon again, with three tries coming as a result of rolling mauls.
Prop Sean Paranihi was now out with a knee injury, while flanker Johnny Galloway limped off injured but it was just cramp.
Manawatū 33 (Terrell Peita, Waqa Nalaga, Joe Gavigan, TK Howden, Julian Goerke tries; Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula 4 con) Auckland 31(Leni Apisai 2, Salesi Rayasi, Caleb Tangitau, Jock McKenzie tries; McKenzie 3 con) HT: 14-21.
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