The Southland Stags rode their luck all the way to a bonus-point win in Whangarei on Friday night.
Southland got a couple of fortuitous bounces and scored 24 unanswered points in the second half to stun Northland in a 31-26 victory to open Round 4 of the National Provincial Championship (NPC) at Semenoff Stadium.
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Fullback Rory van Vugt scored a hat-trick and English wing Charlie Powell two tries, including the spectacular winning five-pointer, as the Stags reclaimed the Heta Te Tai Trophy from the Taniwha.
After defeating neighbours Otago in the season-opener, improved Southland have doubled their win total and eclipsed their championship points tally from 2023 after just four matches this season.
But at halftime, it appeared the Stags were down and out, and on their way to the third straight defeat as they trailed 26-7 after Northland scored three tries and 19 points in the final 15 minutes of the first half.
Powell burst onto a pass from lock Mitchell Dunshea on the inside channel to score in the 49th minute, then van Vugt got his second 10 minutes later when a Lachie Albert kick evaded Northland players at the back.
Van Vugt was denied a legitimate third try in the 62nd minute (an video review incorrectly ruled a knock-on in the act of scoring), but he got his hat-trick in the same corner minutes later, levelling the match at 26-26.
Reserve first-five Byron Smith and Powell combined to complete the comeback in the 73rd minute. Smith's cross-field kick was caught by Powell, who grubbered around the two approaching Northland defenders and regathered to score.
Earlier, after an even opening 20 minutes which featured tries from Northland lock Sam Caird and van Vugt, the Taniwha surged ahead with tries from fullback Jordan Trainor, hooker Matt Moulds and second-five Tevita Latu.
Southland are on the road again in Round 5, facing the Wellington Lions in Porirua next Saturday (kick-off 2.05pm), while Northland continue their 'Storm Week' on Wednesday night against Waikato in Hamilton (kick-off 7.05pm).
Southland Stags 31 (Rory van Vugt 3, Charlie Powell 2 tries; Jake Strachan 3 con) Northland 26 (Sam Caird, Jordan Trainor, Matt Moulds, Tevita Latu tries; Rivez Reihana 3 con). HT: 7-26