Counties Manukau have beaten Otago 29-25 at Pukekohe to defend the Ranfurly Shield from their first top-flight challengers of the year.
Counties' Bundee Aki on the break against Otago in Pukekohe, 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
After opening the scoring in the first half through a Liam Coltman try, Otago went to the break 14-10 down following two Counties five-pointers to Ahsee Tuala and Ronald Raaymakers.
The home side started the second half with a try to Jordan Taufua before Mike Stanley cossed the line in the 65th minute to give Counties a bonus point.
Following two penalty goals kicked by Hayden Parker, Otago climbed back into the game in the final ten minutes when Aki Seiuli and Fa'asiu Fuatai scored tries, but it was too little too late.
