Manawatu waited until the final five minutes to secure their opening win of the Mitre 10 Cup provincial rugby competition, sneaking past Waikato 24-19 in Palmerston North.
The visitors dominated the early stages of the contest, taking a 12-0 lead after 11 minutes through tries from wing Sevu Reece and hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho.
But as half-time loomed, the Turbos began to find their feet, tossing the ball from one side of the field to the other, until fullback Junior Laloifi found a gaping hole in the Waikato defence to cross for their opening try.
The home team finished the half hot on attack and carried that momentum into the second spell, when they notched up tries to replacement Faalelei Sione and second-five Rob Thompson to snatch a 19-12 lead.
But Waikato weren't done, finishing off a length-of-the-field move with a try to wing Declan O'Donnell, converted by fullback Fletcher Smith to draw even.
The contest looked headed for a deadlock, but with five minutes remaining, Manawatu again stretched the Mooloo defence right and then left, providing just enough space for Laloifi to cross in the left corner for the matchwinner.
For All Blacks wing Nehe Milner-Skudder, the outing provided little opportunity to push for a test recall, but Laloifi looked an exciting prospect to keep an eye on for the rest of the season.
Reece was named player of the match for Waikato.
"A lot of past Turbo teams might have rolled over and taken the pounding, but we showed some spirit and belief," said Manawatu captain Antonio Kirikiri. "I'm very proud of the way the boys fronted up today."
Next Friday, Manawatu challenge Taranaki, while Waikato host North Harbour in Hamilton on Saturday.
"We're overdue a Ranfurly Shield, but we know it's not just going to happen," said Kirikiri. "We've got to earn that right and we've got to step up another level."
Manawatu 24 (Junior Laloifi 2, Faalelai Sione & Rob Thompson tries, Jade Te Rure & Sam Malcolm conversions) Waikato 19 (Sevu Reece, Samisoni Taukei'aho & Declan O'Donnell tries, Fletcher Smith 2 conversions)
