Manawatu have turned their ITM Cup campaign around in the space of five days.
The Turbos began the season with three straight losses but they knocked over North Harbour last Sunday and picked up their second win on the bounce tonight as they edged Southland 27-17 in Palmerston North.
You can't deny Manawatu's spirit and after they pushed Auckland and Wellington close earlier in the competition they looked liked a team who would be able to beat some of their fellow Championship sides if they could execute an 80-minute effort.
They started rapidly at FMG Stadium this evening when impressive five-eighth Jade Te Rure banged over an early penalty before Southland realised they were in a contest.
Stags flanker John Hardie then rumbled over the tryline on the back of a lineout move from Southland, who were impressive at the set-piece all night, and the visitors hit the front in the 13th minute.
Te Rure inserted himself in to the contest at the right time though as he took the ball to the line and found the equally-diminutive Jason Emery on the inside who scored.
Shortly after, impressive No 9 Papa Wharewera dotted down and all of a sudden Manawatu were out to a handy 17-7 lead, which was the score the teams settled on at half-time.
The Stags, who had only scored three tries in their first four games, began the second half well with an early penalty.
Points then went back-and-forth as the home side scored through lock Fraser Stone before Stags openside Tim Boys couldn't believe his luck when a gap opened up for him from close range and he added another five points.
Te Rure continued to have an influence on the game as his long-range penalty goal in the 65th minute gave the Turbos a comfortable 10-point buffer.
Southland looked destined to slash the deficit with five minutes left but Southland fullback Robbie Robinson butchered a certain try with the line at his mercy as he spilled a pass.
That error took the life out of Southland as Manawatu held on for a hard-earned win.
Where has he been all season? Manawatu halfback Papa Wharewera spent the first four games of the season on the bench behind Australian import Nic Stirzaker but he took his opportunity to start with both hands tonight. He was a menace at the base of the ruck and dangerous with ball in hand. Wharewera also bagged a try.
Manawatu 27 (Jason Emery, Papa Wharewera, Fraser Stone tries; Jade Te Rure 2 pen, 3 con) Southland 17 (John Hardie, Tim Boys tries, Marty McKenzie pen, con; Scott Eade con) HT: 17-7
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