It was a great occasion in Pukekohe when the Counties Manukau PIC Steelers hosted the All Blacks and Taranaki.

An enthusiastic crowd of 12,000 the Steelers opened the match threatening on the wing, when Tevita Nabura attacked the corner, but it was Taranaki who were rewarded the first points with a penalty try.

The Steelers replied with Nabura again this time taking off from a Baden Kerr break to cross the chalk. Kerr finished what he started, slotting the conversion to even up the scoreboard but from then on it was the Steelers who kept the points ticking over.

Halfback Augustine Pulu dove over from close range shortly after which again was converted by Kerr. With five minutes left in the first third, centre Sam Furniss picked up a loose ball and ran 40 metres to just make the line with momentum caring him over, with Kerr adding the extras.

On fulltime of the Steelers v Taranaki stanza, loose forward Ronald Raaymakers dived over from a pick and go in the right corner with the conversion by Kerr leaving the Counties Manukau with a lead of 28-7.

In the All Blacks v Taranaki half, the All Blacks claimed the first points when lock Brodie Retallick scored from a rolling maul. Lima Sopoaga took the roll of kicking duties to give the them a seven point lead.

The All Blacks scored a long range try after the ball went through a number of hands with hooker Dane Coles and Retallick involved in the lead-up in the move finished by prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi.



