Northland have opened their 2019 provincial campaign with a hard-fought 27-17 win over Southland in the 'Battle of the Compass' in Invercargill on Thursday night.
Despite being on the wrong side of a huge disadvantage in both possession and territory, the Stags managed to keep themselves in the contest with a staunch defensive effort, producing two impressive field-length counter-attack tries.
But ultimately the Taniwha turned up the heat and the heart and took the game away from the southerners, led from the front by their Argentinian linchpin Jack Debreczeni.
The defeat stretches Southland's losing streak to 22 games, an ignominious run that dates back to October 2016.
The game opened with a dominant period of pressure from the visiting Northlanders, who camped deep in the hosts' half for the opening 25 minutes.
Somehow, the Stags' defense managed to hold their tryline clean, forcing Northland to settle for a 27th minute penalty to Jack Debreczeni to claim a mini-moral victory.
That turned into a fully fledged triumph when the Stags launched a brilliant counter attack from within their own 22m that resulted in the game's first try.
- OPINION: Hansen forced to rethink loose forward combo
- Wallabies recall O'Connor for Bledisloe opener
- 'We'll be better' - Ian Foster
Wing Isaac Te Tamaki sparked the movement with a chip into open spaces, then lingered in support to take the final pass and touch down, albeit with a slight hint of a double movement.
The Stags swung back on attack from the restart and soon added to their advantage, keeping the ball in the tight and eventually flanker Phil Halder bulldozed his way over in the corner to extend their lead to 10-3 with two minutes to play.
Northland grabbed a late penalty to narrow the gap and send the teams into the sheds with a 10-9 scoreline in favour of the Stags.
The Taniwha came out strong in the second half, getting right back on the offensive and eventually notching their first try through prop Coree Te Whata-Colley, who rummaged his way over the chalk from close range to give his side a 13-10 lead.
Minutes later, that lead stretched to 20-10 courtesy of Jordan Hyland, who cashed in on a slick inside ball from stand-out first-five Debreczeni to dive over next to the left-hand upright.
But the Stags hung in there, responding with another length of the field counter attack try - against the run of play - to fullback Josh Moorby in the 63rd minute to close within three points.
With eight minutes to play, Northland's Temo Mayanavanua burrowed under the crossbar to put the result beyond doubt.
Northland will move on to face Auckland on Thursday, while the Stags travel to Dunedin for a Ranfurly Shield challange against Otago next Saturday.
Newshub.
