The ITM Cup dream lives on for Counties Manukau who made a good start to a tough week, coming from behind to beat Southland with a bonus-point win in Invercargill.
Trailing 7-5 at halftime and playing directly into a ferocious wind, Counties showed their Premiership pedigree with a gritty and determined second half performance, scoring two tries to seal the win in the crossover match.
It means Counties' semi-final dream is still alive, though still highly unlikely. But with superstar Sonny Bill Williams linking up with the side on Monday, it would seem anything is possible.
First they face an appetising midweek matchup against Auckland, before travelling to Tasman for the final game of the season - their third game in eight days. They need to win them both, with bonus points, and will lean heavily on some SBW inspiration.
The loss was a big hit to Southland's semi-final aspirations and they now find themselves in a tight three horse race with North Harbour and Otago for the fourth Championship semi-final spot, which will be decided in the final round next weekend.
Rugby Park produced a torrid mix of wind, sleet and hail throughout the match which made possession key and goal kicking near impossible.
Counties have a rock star backline, but it wasn't a day for rock star backlines. It was a day for grunt and no nonsense up front and Southland excelled at that in the first half, scoring a try and playing perfectly into the heavy wind.
There was a period at the end of the first half where Southland didn't get the ball out of their half for 15 minutes, but they defended with purpose and passion and didn't concede any points.
But just when it looked like Southland were in the drivers' seat, they gifted Counties a second half try. An overthrown Southland lineout on their own try line landed in the hands of Augustine Pulu who touched down for the easiest try of his career, and quickly the momentum shifted.
A well worked 10-man drive from a Counties lineout sealed the game in the 70th minute, with their much-desired bonus point try.
Southland missed the influence of first-five Lima Sopoaga who traded being the best man for the Stags, to be the best man at his brother's wedding.
Tim Nanai-Williams was the standout for Counties, with a series of dangerous breaks releasing all the pressure for the visitors in the second half.
Southland finish their regular season with a Ranfurly Shield challenge on Saturday against Hawke's Bay.
- by Steven Holloway
Southland 10 (Bryan Milne tries; Scott Eade 1 con, 1 pen) Counties Manukau 24 (Onosa'i Auva'a, Tim Nanai Williams, Augustine Pulu, Jordan Taufua tries; Ahsee Taula 2 con)
