Vodafone Warrior Suaia Matagi scored a double as the Vulcans beat Illawarra 36-10 in Saturday's New South Wales Cup encounter at Mount Smart Stadium. Photo: Photosport.
A run of 36 unanswered points including a 26-0 second half shutout propelled the Auckland Vulcans to a 36-10 victory over Illawarra in todays New South Wales Cup clash at Mount Smart Stadium.
Last Sunday the Vulcans staged a stunning revival to beat Newcastle 28-24 with winger Atelea Nafetalai scoring the match-winning try after the final siren had sounded.
That result snapped a run of three consecutive losses to push the Vulcans just back into the top eight.
With a second straight home win today theyve moved up another spot to seventh but the ultimately impressive display didnt begin well as the Vulcans conceded an early 0-10 margin.
They settled down and then levelled up inside the final 10 minutes of the half with tries to Nafetalai and Vodafone Warrior Suaia Matagi, who started the match at loose forward.
Having helped his side back into the contest just before halftime, Matagi made an immediate impact in the second half with his second strike of the day and from there the Vulcans ensured the Cutters would never find a way back into the battle.
A further four tries were to follow to set up a convincing victory, leaving the Vulcans in a position to register their third consecutive home win when they face Manly on Mount Smart Stadium No 1 next Sunday, June 9 (11.50am kick-off).
That match will again be the first leg of a tripleheader before the Vodafone Warriors take on the Sea Eagles in the NYC (1.45pm kick-off) and NRL (4.05pm kick-off).
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR NEXT SUNDAY'S TRIPLEHEADER AT MOUNT SMART STADIUM
Match details:
At Mount Smart Stadium No 2, Auckland
Auckland Vulcans 36 (Suaia Matagi 2, Atelea Nafetalai, Ngani Laumape, Aaron Nootai, Daniel Palavi, Alehana Mara tries; Harry Siejka 4 conversions).
Illawarra Cutters 10 (Todd Ryan, Damien Cook tries; Josh Drinkwater conversion).
Halftime: 10-10.
Referee: Shane Rehm.
Vulcans: Tangi Ropati; Bill Tupou, Konrad Hurrell, Ngani Laumape, Agnatius Paasi, Atelea Nafetalai; Steve Waetford, Harry Siejka; Charlie Gubb, Alehana Mara, Daniel Palavi; John Palavi, Patrick Sipley; Suaia Matagi. Interchange: Herman Retzlaff, Nathaniel Peteru, Jarrod Tua, Aaron Nootai.
A run of 36 unanswered points including a 26-0 second half shutout propelled the Auckland Vulcans to a 36-10 victory over Illawarra in todays New South Wales Cup clash at Mount Smart Stadium.
Last Sunday the Vulcans staged a stunning revival to beat Newcastle 28-24 with winger Atelea Nafetalai scoring the match-winning try after the final siren had sounded.
That result snapped a run of three consecutive losses to push the Vulcans just back into the top eight.
With a second straight home win today theyve moved up another spot to seventh but the ultimately impressive display didnt begin well as the Vulcans conceded an early 0-10 margin.
They settled down and then levelled up inside the final 10 minutes of the half with tries to Nafetalai and Vodafone Warrior Suaia Matagi, who started the match at loose forward.
Having helped his side back into the contest just before halftime, Matagi made an immediate impact in the second half with his second strike of the day and from there the Vulcans ensured the Cutters would never find a way back into the battle.
A further four tries were to follow to set up a convincing victory, leaving the Vulcans in a position to register their third consecutive home win when they face Manly on Mount Smart Stadium No 1 next Sunday, June 9 (11.50am kick-off).
That match will again be the first leg of a tripleheader before the Vodafone Warriors take on the Sea Eagles in the NYC (1.45pm kick-off) and NRL (4.05pm kick-off).
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR NEXT SUNDAY'S TRIPLEHEADER AT MOUNT SMART STADIUM
Match details:
At Mount Smart Stadium No 2, Auckland
Auckland Vulcans 36 (Suaia Matagi 2, Atelea Nafetalai, Ngani Laumape, Aaron Nootai, Daniel Palavi, Alehana Mara tries; Harry Siejka 4 conversions).
Illawarra Cutters 10 (Todd Ryan, Damien Cook tries; Josh Drinkwater conversion).
Halftime: 10-10.
Referee: Shane Rehm.
Vulcans: Tangi Ropati; Bill Tupou, Konrad Hurrell, Ngani Laumape, Agnatius Paasi, Atelea Nafetalai; Steve Waetford, Harry Siejka; Charlie Gubb, Alehana Mara, Daniel Palavi; John Palavi, Patrick Sipley; Suaia Matagi. Interchange: Herman Retzlaff, Nathaniel Peteru, Jarrod Tua, Aaron Nootai.
