Northland spring surprise to make semis

After topping their pool, Northland went through to play in the semifinal against  Bay of Plenty, only to come undone in the closing minutes of the match, going down 14-5.
"We're still a bit grumpy about it," coach JT Thomas said after the loss.
In the heat of the Mount Maunganui summer, Northland trailed Bay of Plenty 7-5 for most of the game, until the Bay  snuck over the line as the final hooter went.
"The score is a bit more flattering than it should be - they [BoP] are a high quality side, but we did not play to our potential and the guys didn't gel in that game," Thomas said.
Northland made a scratchy start to the tournament against Taranaki. Trailing early,  Northland's Sione Fonua, Matt Moulds and Brook Gilmore worked hard to get Northland back in the mix and eventually out in front to win 26-14.
An imposing Wellington side were next up for Northland in pool play and it was a battle from start to finish.
Northland did not give in and came up trumps  21-12, with Logan Wendt and Troy Lobendahn  standouts against the defending champions.
 "Wellington were a top-notch side but I think they underestimated us a wee bit - we gave them a surprise and they panicked," Thomas said.
After making the quarterfinals, Northland geared up to take on another tough outfit, Manawatu, and won  19-7.
"It was a really good game, we had control of the game and we deserved to win. That was our best game of the tournament as we hit our form," Thomas said.
Continuing his impressive form throughout the tournament, Rhys Te Nana was dangerous against Manawatu, along with Lachie Munro, the coach  said.
While it was disappointing not to make the final, the tournament gave the Thomas and team some indication of what to expect at this weekend's Queenstown National Sevens Tournament.
"We beat two of the teams who are in our pool [Wellington and Manawatu], and it is a very tough pool. It's given us some self confidence and we can see the two months we have spent preparing for this has paid off."
Various combinations were trialled at the Mount, with Thomas switching players around the paddock during the matches, as he needs to drop two from the squad of 14 ahead of Queenstown.
The team to attend nationals will be announced later this week.