Manawatu shock Auckland 33-31 in monumental upset at Eden Park

At Eden Park, Auckland: Manawatū 33 (Terrell Peita, Epeli Waqaicece, Joseph Gavigan, TK Howden, Julian Goerke tries, Isaiah Ravula 4 cons) Auckland 31(Leni Apisai 2, Salesi Rayasi, Caleb Tangitau, Jock McKenzie tries; Jock McKenzie 3 cons) HT: 21-14.

Manawatū has beaten Auckland for the first time since 1980 with a 33-31 victory on the buzzer in the biggest national provincial championship upset of the season.

Before last Friday Manawatū hadn’t won in almost two years, six days later they have won two in a row following Wednesday night’s heroics at Eden Park.

Replacement forward Julian Goerke crashed through the defence in the 80th minute to tie the game and Isaiah Ravula converted from right next to the posts to put the Turbos in front for the first time in the match.

Lead by inspirational blindside flanker TK Howden, the Turbos played above their weight all night long and although they never held the lead until the 80 minutes was up, Manawatū’s relentless never give up mindset kept them in the game when they could have so easily let things slip.

The massive underdogs scored the last two tries to secure the thrilling win.