Mooloo looking good for semis

Waikato 48 Southland 20

A clinical Waikato kept themselves right in the semifinal frame with an impressive victory over Southland.

Waikato have not sewn up a top-four spot for the first-division playoffs yet, but their prospects are good.

They ran in seven tries to one to notch their sixth win from nine games before a 5000-strong crowd at Rugby Park Stadium - and hardly hit top gear in doing so.

Waikato first five-eighth David Hill, who missed just one of his seven shots at goal in another solid display, said his team were rapt with an important, maximum-points victory.

"We knew it was always going to be tough here," Hill said.

"Southland played pretty well for the first 10 to 15 minutes and then straight after halftime, but we took our chances when we had to."

Waikato needed five points from the game because they have the bye this week before ending their campaign away against Canterbury.

The home team took control midway through the first half with tries to winger Bruce Reihana and ever-present flanker Marty Holah after breaks by fullback Todd Miller.

Both tries were converted by former Southlander Hill, and suddenly Waikato were 19-6 up after 32 minutes.



Three penalty goals to Southland first five-eighth Ashley Barron cut the lead to 19-15 early in the second half but Waikato were never in danger. They lifted the intensity when required and were too slick and powerful out wide, where centre Keith Lowen was outstanding.

In the pack, prop David Briggs made several bullocking second-half runs and made the game safe in the 58th minute when he steamed across untouched from a ruck 12m out.

Southland never gave up and were rewarded with a late try to replacement hooker Jason Rutledge from a set lineout move seven minutes from time.

Reihana had the final say, sprinting in from 25m for a sweet touchdown.

- NZPA