Tasman vs Southland

Southland stunned the home crowd inside five minutes when Nic Shearer crashed over from close range after sustained forward pressure. Mika Muliaina converted for a 7–0 lead, and the Stags looked composed against a Tasman side still finding its rhythm.

The Mako hit back through Johnny Lee (18'), who finished a sharp passing move involving Lopeti Faifua and Antonio Shalfoon. Taine Robinson converted to level the scores at 7–7. But Southland responded immediately: Sam Fischli crossed in the 21st minute after Nic Shearer and Jayden Henderson broke the gainline, though Muliaina's conversion struck the upright, leaving the score at 12–7.

Kyren Taumoefolau touched down in the 33rd minute after Maloni Kunawave and Timoci Sauira punched holes in the Southland defence, but William Havili's conversion drifted left. The sides turned at 12–12.

Wil Thornalley put Tasman ahead for the first time seven minutes into the second half, dotting down after Taine Robinson's line break. Havili's conversion again missed the mark, but the Mako had the lead at 17–12.

Southland refused to wilt. Fletcher Morgan scored in the 56th minute from a pinpoint kick and pinpoint chase, with Nic Shearer involved in the build-up. Muliaina's conversion attempt slid wide, keeping it at 17–17.

That was as close as Southland would get.

Lopeti Faifua's try in the 58th minute broke the deadlock and shattered Southland's resistance. William Havili finally found his radar with the conversion, making it 24–17, and the floodgates opened.

Maloni Kunawave crossed in the 63rd minute, David Havili — on as a substitute just minutes earlier — finished a sweeping backs move in the 66th, and William Havili's conversion pushed the lead to 36–17. Taine Robinson added another in the 71st minute before Kyren Taumoefolau completed his brace with the final try in the 81st minute.

The Mako scored 29 points in a 20-minute window from the 58th to the 81st minute, turning a 17–17 deadlock into a 46–17 demolition.

Kyren Taumoefolau (Tasman) — Two tries and a hand in multiple others. His line-breaking ability was the difference between the sides, particularly in the second half when he repeatedly sliced through the Southland defence.

William Havili (Tasman) — Mixed afternoon with the boot (three conversions from seven attempts), but his distribution and running game opened up the Stags. He set up Faifua's try with a powerful break.

Maloni Kunawave (Tasman) — A try and two try assists. His offloading in contact kept Tasman's attack flowing during the decisive second-half period.

Nic Shearer (Southland) — Southland's best, scoring the opening try and creating Morgan's score in the second half. His industrious carrying kept the Stags in the game for 57 minutes.

Tasman's 22-metre entries (12) produced 3.8 points per entry, compared to Southland's 1.3 from 13 entries — illustrating the gulf in finishing efficiency. The Mako won 88 rucks to Southland's 109, yet scored more than double the points, suggesting they played with far greater tempo and purpose once phase play broke down. Ruck speed was evenly split (52% of Tasman's rucks were 3–6 seconds vs 57% for Southland), but the Mako's 34% of rucks won in under three seconds fuelled their second-half momentum.

The Stags led for 27 minutes of the match, Tasman for 26 — the scoreline flips that narrative entirely. Tasman's 54% possession in the final ten minutes produced five points to Southland's zero.

Tasman's second win of the season moves them to two wins and two losses after four rounds, with a bonus point for crossing four tries. Southland, coming off a 32–31 victory over Waikato in Round 3, drop to two wins and two losses, missing an opportunity against a team they had been expected to challenge.

The Mako travel to Semenoff Stadium to face Northland on Sunday 30 August (17:05 NZST), while the Stags host Counties Manukau at Rugby Park on the same weekend.

For 57 minutes, Southland matched Tasman and at times outplayed them. The Stags' inability to convert pressure into points — and particularly Muliaina's two missed conversions from makeable positions — cost them the platform to build a lead. Once Tasman found their attacking shape and Havili began finding touch with his conversions, the Mako's superior finishing quality overwhelmed a Southland side that had run out of answers. The scoreline (46–17) was a fair reflection of the final 25 minutes but harsh on the first 55.