Mitre 10 Cup: Ngani Laumape inspires come from behind victory for Manawatu over Southland

Southland have blown a perfect chance to end their Mitre 10 Cup losing streak, falling to Manawatu 31-26 in Invercargill. 

The southerners haven't won a match in 1071 days dating back to round eight in 2016.

The Stags found themselves 26-7 up at the break, but an inspired second half from unwanted All Black Ngani Laumape has propelled the Turbos to their second-straight win. 

The Stags flew out of the gates, scoring two tries in the opening quarter of an hour to take an early 12-0 lead.

Hooker Greg Pleasants-Tate crashed over after the Southland attack caught Manawatu napping. 

The early onslaught continued for the next 10 minutes, winger Lewis Ormond scoring the second try of the afternoon in the corner. 

The Turbos needed to hit back and that's exactly what they did, halfback Jamie Booth hit Brayden Iose with a flat pass and the No. 8 crossed to make the score 12-7.

But a mistake off the kickoff put the ball back into Southland's hands and they were very quickly over again - halfback Logan Crowley going over untouched.

The southern men could do no wrong in the first half, second five Ray Nu'u scored under the posts after some great build-up from the backs, in particular, Ormond. 

The Stags took a commanding 26-7 lead into the break, but that was as good as it got as the Turbos ran in 24 unanswered second-half points. 

The Turbos were the first to score in the second 40, Laumape made a clean break before offloading to Booth who passed it back to the All Blacks midfielder who scored his first of the match. 

Laumape had a double eight minutes later, a piece of individual brilliance saw the second-five put in a chip and chase to collect the ball and score. 

With all the momentum, Manawatu worked the ball up the field and tied the game up with a try to Rhys Pederson out wide, first five Otere Black nailed the conversion to give the visitors their first lead of the match. 

They added two penalties before the final whistle to break the hearts of Southland fans, claiming a massive comeback win. 

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