They beat the Stingrays 38-24 in a masterclass of under-20s rugby league at Forsyth Barr Stadium yesterday afternoon.
In the Scorpions’ first game under the roof since 2020, they got on top of the Stingrays early and took a 16-8 lead at the break.
But the Stingrays came out of the sheds on fire, scoring two quick tries and taking the lead 18-16.
Scorpions captain Caleb Murphy said he had every faith his team would come back.
"We know we’re good enough to come back. We don’t let that stuff rattle us," Murphy told Sky Sport after the game.
He was right — and the Scorpions turned it around to get back in the fight and win the game.
There were some lovely team tries through Jacob Nyman, Noah Saukuru, Izyah Hesp, Mac Gibson Te Kaio Cranwell and Dunedin’s Tetauru Cuthers scored a double.
Dunedin’s Callum Donaldson also had a solid game, h his allusive running breaking through the Stingrays’ defence.
Murphy was rapt with his team’s performance.
"We talked about getting a good start. You know, [they’re] big boys, big bodies, so go to get over top of them and I think we did that.
"Really proud of the boys."
The team was "fizzing" to play Waikato Mana, whom the Scorpions beat 46-8 in the round-robin, in a semifinal next weekend.
Ruben Wiki Cup
The scores
South Island Scorpions 38
Tetauru Cuthers 2, Mac Gibson, Te Kaio Cranwell, Noah Saukuru, Izyah Hesp, Jacob Nyman tries; Caleb Murphy 5 con
Counties-Manukau Stingrays 24
Robin Herbert 2, Esau Meleisea, Malachi Tony tries; Jordyn Makiha 4 con
Halftime: Scorpions 6-8.
