If Auckland's Over 40 Mens were considered to be the team to beat in this grade before the tournament, today's results did nothing to alter this view. The Aucklanders won all three matches in convincing style but a spate of injuries could come back to haunt them later in the tournament.
Counties Manukau and Kapiti Horowhenua are looking most likely to challenge after the hometown Manawatu team, Southland and Wellington were all beaten by Auckland. Wellington though could be the dark horse and were able to cross the line nine times in a good albeit losing performance.
Tomorrow morning Counties Manuaku will be able to size up the challenge when they meet Auckland at 10am, the day will conclude with the other challenger Kapiti Horowhenu having a crack at Auckland at 5.20.
The talismanic presence of Peter Walters casts a long shadow over the grade and he was very much the director when Auckland took the field against Southland this morning.
The southerners started well, going touchdown for touchdown with Auckland – after 10 minute soy play it was 2-2 but that soon changed when Walters split the defence from the five, found space in the in-goal and then passed off to Peter McIntyre for the touchdown.
Auckland's Tony Lagahetau then got into the action through a late cut. The Mixed Touch Blacks coach created acres of space and with numbers supporting on the outside Auckland were able to double their lead.
Southland rallied however and with ran a double round that brought their winger into open space. A forward pass was called however and the chance to tighten the scores went begging. Minutes later Walters split the defence and was in the in-goal again but Southland were up to the task. On the next play though Shane Edwards provided the overlap and the points piled on.
Southland were tiring as the half drew to a close and Auckland's Mack Herewini exploited some defensive lapses to send Bruce Murray over.
The second half began in a similar fashion with Walters creating and scoring touchdowns seemingly at will to give his side a 7-2 buffer. Southland got back in the game through Greg Houkamau who dived through the Auckland middles after a wrap play held up the defence.
Auckland responded immediately and attacked the Southland the line, running a phase play and scoring. Southland hit back themselves to make it 8-4 but from the on it was one-way traffic to the men in blue who dominated the last quartre of the match and ran away 13-4 winners.
Last Modified on 27/02/2012 14:32
