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Counties Manukau will face Hawke’s Bay next Saturday afternoon in Pukekohe to lock up the Ranfurly Shield for the rest of the year after claiming a 22-19 victory over Northland in the ninth round Hilux NPC competition.
AJ Alatimu’s late penalty from the touchline sealed a famous triumph for Counties Manukau’s Reon Graham-coached side, who stuck with Northland for the full 80-minute contest.
Young fullback Adam Morrison, from Saint Kentigern College in Auckland, had two key moments in the shield battle, knocking down Rivez Reihana’s conversion minutes before the crucial try in the left corner.
But Northland’s 100-cap veteran Sam Nock opened the scoring at Whangarei’s Semenoff Stadium, before Sione Molia hit back 16 minutes later in an even first quarter.
Northland went into the sheds nine points clear but it was the challengers who stormed home to claim a memorable and historic shield win, their first since 2013.
A few minutes after full time, Alatimu struggled to put into words how he felt.
“It’s all credit to the boys,” said the match-winner Sky Sport.
“I supported the skipper’s call, I just had to do my job and thank God it went through.
“I was just trying to zone everything, but I just line the ball up, count to four, and then I shoot and hope it goes.”
For Tupou, who was part of the 2013 Counties Manukau team that won the Ranfurly Shield, it was a memorable moment in his long career.
“Honestly, it’s special,” Tupou said Sky Sport after the game.
“The first time I was probably a little young and naive and we had a beautiful team with stars. To come back and be at the end of my career and give these guys the experience of what he does.”
“It’s been a tough old season for us, it’s our final, so we came here and we just gave them everything and I’m so proud of this group.”
Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe will host the final shield challenge of the year on Saturday 3 October against Hawke’s Bay.