Fierce rivals lose the plot before crucial encounter

By WYNNE GRAY

OTAGO 35 WAIKATO 20

Old rivals Auckland and Waikato blew fuses as they entered the difficult late run to the semifinals, glitches which will make both edgy before they square off in Hamilton on Saturday.

The greatest meltdown came from the Mooloo men, who got their wires badly crossed in the last quarter of their match with Otago, who stretched away to win comfortably at Carisbrook.

Auckland had plenty of current flowing through their side but they could not hotwire a victory against defending champions Canterbury, not quite having the attacking spark, variety or ruthlessness to organise a victory.

But they did have the defence - though they were fortunate not to concede a penalty try when referee Steve Walsh was unsighted - which fronted as it has done most impressively all season.

Waikato's defence was much more porous. They conceded four tries, including three in the last 30 minutes, which left coach Ian Foster and captain Deon Muir lamenting a list of fix-it requirements.

This was not the result Waikato wanted, even if they tried to put a decent spin on it being a mid-series wake-up, a time for reassessment after their five straight wins.

"We got a bit of a hiding out there," Muir suggested.

It was not that bad, but it was not the Waikato seen earlier in the competition. They were far more predictable than they had been, and there was not the same zip in midfield after Keith Lowen had to quit early with residual effects of the flu.

Runners in the pack were gunned down, with some like Royce Willis singled out for individual attention by tackling juggernaut Filipo Levi.

Foster said his side showed poor concentration, but it was only one defeat in a campaign that had to be repaired.

"Some of the individuals have to think about this for the game against Auckland," he said.

Added Muir: "We were not happy, not hungry, not urgent and not good enough on defence. We needed to be far more aggressive and have a lot more patience."

It was an unusual match where outstanding individuals were the quartet of wings.

Roger Randle scored one of Waikato's tries in a busy day while Bruce Reihana continued to show the all-purpose running and goalkicking expertise which will be so missed when he leaves for his overseas contract.

Equally devastating for Otago were Seru Rabeni and Aisea Tuilevu, who scored one of his extraordinary tries when he burst away from the back of a maul in a scorching 30m run.

For all the endeavour, neither side were assured of victory with 15 minutes left. Otago were ahead by a point as Waikato altered their running game to one based more on David Hill kicking for position.

It might have been applauded had Reihana kicked a penalty and Hill a drop goal in that period.

Instead, Otago upped their continuity, five-eighths Blair Feeney crossed for a try, as did Josh Blackie at the end of a 70m move. Feeney converted both and Otago had an inflated margin of victory.