Page 4 - Liam Mitchell News Today

With the Southland Stags leading Manawatu 20-6 on a sunny Sunday afternoon at Rugby Park in Invercargill life was good for the southern faithful. But that quickly changed.

Manawatu has secured a 38-27 victory over Southland in rugby's NPC in Invercargill

All Blacks halfback's absence doesn't halt Turbos' charge, as visitors produce fine comeback win in Invercargill.

Hawke's Bay swoop in on success, confirming their steady ascent in what is their coach's last hurrah before crossing the ditch.

Let's just write off the injury-time loss to the Springboks as another step on the fact-finding tour to Australia and points north.

The experienced outside back is juggling playing with being an assistant coach this year.

Morale is high in the Manawatū turbos' camp after their third win of the season.

So much for Otago being the pre-season favourites to win the championship section of the NPC.

Maraku, 21, spent a chunk of the Super Rugby season with the Blues and he said he learnt a lot with them. It showed when he returned for club games with Feilding, where he was a standout back. Manawatū, again sporting Linton Army jerseys, showed heart on defence this week and looked a lot more competitive. Maraku was happy with how they improved from a week ago, but still felt they could get better. “We’ve got quite a few work ons in that game where we could improve. Definitely more co...

He said he hoped for third time lucky in this year’s final. Lock Micaiah Torrance-Read, who missed the semifinal with an Achilles problem, could be back for the final. COB coach Bryan Matenga said it was disappointing to miss out, but Varsity were clinical. He said they didn’t execute their game plan in a poor first half, but he was proud of his side falling just short. Varsity were slow to start and after conceding two early tries, one a 50-metre intercept by COB flanker Elyjah Crosswe...