Mitre10 Highlights: Northland v Manawatu (Round 1)

A superb game in the end with Manawatu Turbo's getting the better of Northland by 34-27 in these two teams first game of the Mitre Cup 2016. Manawatu began the game strong with an early 17-0 lead but after a yellow card Northland began their fight back and took the lead into half time 17-19. The second half began just like the first, only with Northland getting the first points and taking a 5 point lead. After that first try in the second half the flood gates opened for both teams as they played cat and mouse with one team scoring and then the other responding with a try of their own. Manawatu had the better discipline and took the lead with 5 minutes to go and never looked back, although a tightly fought last minute with Northland having a line out just 5 metres out of the Manawatu try line. In the end Manawatu Turbo's had the better day on the field but a really enjoyable game to watch and a great start to the season for Manawatu.