After 100 minutes of hard-fought, entertaining rugby, the only way Kahukura and Judea could be separated was with the toss of a coin.
After 100 minutes of hard-fought entertaining rugby, the only way Kahukura and Judea could be separated was with the toss of a coin.
At the end of the 80 minutes, the Division 1 semifinal at Kahukura's home ground Kuirau Park on Saturday was locked up at 27-all.
Because it was a knockout match, it could not end in a draw, so the sides played another 20 minutes of extra time. However, neither side was able to take the lead.
Incredibly, the competition rules state that if nobody scores in extra time, the match is decided with a coin toss. Kahukura made the right call and will play in the final next week against Ruatoki. Judea were left heartbroken, their season cut short by the toss of a coin.
Kahukura centre Gareth Smith makes a run against Judea. Photo/Ben Fraser
The game itself was free-flowing from the get-go with both sides showing some great skills with ball in hand, despite slippery conditions.
Judea opened the scoring through hooker Tawera Reihana after a sustained period of possession in the Kahukura 22m. However, within minutes Kahukura hit back, working their way up field on the back of consecutive penalties before halfback Liam Preston drove over from close range. He converted his own try to take a 7-5 lead.
Both teams demonstrated good ball retention in the opposition half and traded another try apiece to make it 12-10 to Kahukura, 25 minutes in.
Judea players celebrate a try. Photo/Ben Fraser
Judea fullback Clayton Commerer scored the try of the match, on the back of a superb team move, to give his side a 15-12 lead. Preston then kicked a penalty for Kahukura to make it 15-all at halftime.
Saturday's match was always likely to be a close one, Kahukura and Judea played twice during the regular season and won one each. The second half was no different as neither side ever looked like they would run away with the game.
Kahukura took a 20-15 lead through winger Dejae Adlam before Judea hit back with a converted try to lead 22-20.
Kahukura players celebrate a try against Judea during their Division 1 semifinal. Photo/Ben Fraser
Kahukura hooker Keegan Orr scored on the back of a quick tap and Preston converted to give Kahukura a 27-22 lead with 10 minutes to go. Judea's Commerer scored his second of the match with minutes left on the clock, but it was not converted, leaving the score at 27-all and setting up one of the most dramatic finishes in the competitions history.
Kahukura coach Ron Preston said winning via coin toss was "surreal".
"I've never been in this situation before. I really feel for Judea, they brought everything today. We both knew what was at stake and it was a pity it had to come down to the toss of a coin. We haven't won a coin toss all year, so it was a good time to get one."
He said playing in a final was what the team had played and trained for all season.
Kahukura's Ramon Funua. Photo/Ben Fraser
"The defence in extra time is probably what got us there. That defence when they were right on our line, that's huge and it just shows the character of these players. I thought we were gutsy, but we could've made the most of more opportunities, we let them back into the game too easily," Preston said.
Judea coach Dale Bigwood was understandably disappointed with the way the match was decided, but was proud of the effort his team put in.
"I don't know what to say, but they gave it 110 per cent which is what we asked. We felt the two teams were pretty even and today proved it, there was nothing in it.
"I've never, ever, in all my lifetime of rugby seen it come down to the toss of a coin. But, congratulations to Kahukura, we wish them all the best for the final."
