Auckland steam back into title contention

By WYNNE GRAY - Auckland 21 Waikato 13

Auckland reasserted their Eden Park supremacy against the old foe last night and also redirected their NPC campaign, but Waikato must be wondering about their place in the final four.

Back at full strength, Waikato were outgunned up front and from that solid platform Auckland gave their conjurer, Carlos Spencer, the tools to weave his magical control. He did not disappoint, with a thoughtful performance.

Without Todd Miller, Waikato would have been well adrift by the end of the first quarter. Always noted for the quality of his tackling, Miller delivered three classic hits in the first 20 minutes as the team-mates in front of him fell off far too many tackles.

As Spencer danced and weaved early, the Waikato defence seemed mesmerised and Miller had to run him out near the corner to avoid one try, and later lowered Eroni Clarke when the burly centre broke the line.

But it was Miller's tackle on his gifted opposite, Mils Muliaina, which was his best save. Muliaina cut through, had the line in front and just Miller to beat, but the Waikato wizard felled him perfectly.

The match was all Auckland, with new lock Ali Williams strong in the lineouts, Spencer kicking expertly for space and organising the close-in channels where any of his forwards punched out easy metres.

Whenever Waikato got some ball, Steve Devine, Spencer and Justin Collins flew at David Hill or Rhys Duggan, putting their kicking games under severe pressure.

Perhaps three times in the entire half Waikato got into Auckland's half.

On the first occasion they lost the ball, Collins and Xavier Rush surged away and while the pass from Rush to Iliesa Tanivula was a metre or so forward, referee Steve Walsh allowed the long-distance try.

But Waikato fought back. Hill kicked a penalty touchfinder for a five-metre lineout, Jonno Gibbes made the catch and Marty Holah scored from the driving maul. Hill converted for the lead, before Spencer goaled at halftime to regain the lead.

The break came with an Auckland lineout steal pushing the ball towards Collins, who showed great skill, drive and strength to gather and twist his way over the line.

Waikato conjured up one backline move and looked to have put Keith Lowen over the line before Walsh correctly ruled Holah's final pass was forward.

And when Waikato looked like taking a bonus point from a late Hill penalty, Spencer dropped a goal with the last move of the game and Auckland were temporarily on top of the Air New Zealand-sponsored NPC competition.

Auckland 21 (I. Tanivula, J. Collins try; C. Spencer, 2 pen, con, drop goal) Waikato 13 (M. Holah, try; D. Hill, 2 pen, con) Halftime: 8-7.