Manawatū Turbos show defensive mettle in close loss to Wellington

It might have been the most well-received Manawatū loss in years.

The Manawatū Turbos lost 22-6 to Wellington at the Arena on Saturday night, their opening game of the season, but despite the loss, spirits were high after the game.

There is a renewed confidence in the Manawatū under new coach Mike Rogers and they blooded seven debutants in the game.

They conceded 47 points a game last year, so the defensive effort against Saturday was a huge effort, only leaking one try as Wellington often opted to take penalties.

Manawatū, starved of any ball, spent huge periods on defence and it took until the 69th minute before Wellington breached their defences, when the lively Peter Umaga-Jensen found a hole. Manawatū led 6-3 at halftime.

“I’m immensely proud of the effort of the boys,” Rogers said. “That first-half defensive display, we’re going to be really hard to beat if we can defend like that. That’s what we want to be, that’s the foundation.”

Their lineout was disorganised and they only won two from nine, which gave Wellington even more possession.

There were some other areas to work on, and they had a couple of missed opportunities, but Rogers said it was a great first effort for a young group who was learning.

“Teams are going to have to work against us. We can’t button off one minute and then they score a soft try from halfway.

“Maybe in the past it’s been accepted, it’s not who we are, we want teams to work bloody hard for every inch.

“I think that’s what people here want to see, they want to see us put in a good effort and wins will come.”

One missed chance came midway through the second half, where Kyle Brown dropped a pass with an overlap. If Manawatū had scored there they could have gone ahead 13-6.

They didn’t have much possession to attack with, but Rogers hoped their attack would improve as the season went on.

The one black mark was a late red card. Rookie lock Josh Taula was sent off for a late hit and shoulder to the head of Wellington fullback Ruben Love after Love cleared the ball.

There was a fracas afterwards, but there were no cards for Wellington players despite retaliation.

Taula will be suspended, so new lock Stan van den Hoven, who has returned to full fitness after an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his knee last year, will likely come onto the bench. He has played for Bay of Plenty and Taranaki.

Young hooker Raymond Tuputupu was knocked out in the eighth minute, so will have the mandatory stand down while he recovers. But the experienced Leif Schwencke will come into the side.

Tuputupu’s replacement on Saturday, 18-year-old Vernon Bason, didn’t look out of place in a strong display.

Fullback Beaudein Waaka went off with a hip injury in the first half. He was hit late by a Wellington player when kicking the ball, but there was no penalty.

Waaka’s replacement Drew Wild, back from the United States, was good off the bench and kicked well.

New lock Johan Momsen was one of their standout players, with a physical display on attack and defence.

Flanker Slade McDowall got through a power of work, prop Joe Gavigan was industrious and Brown had a strong game at second-five.

Wellington 22 (Peter Umaga-Jensen try; Aidan Morgan con, 5 pen) Manawatū 6 (Brett Cameron 2 pen). HT: 3-6.