Gatland boys one step from glory

Waikato winger Sosene Anesi proved unstoppable close to the line, scoring twice in his side's demolition of Otago at Waikato Stadium. Picture / Sarah Ivey

Waikato 44 Otago 15

Shortly before the national championship began, Waikato coach Warren Gatland reckoned his province would be the country's best within two years.

He's one game away from achieving it in double quick time after his side crushed Otago with a powerful demonstration of high-intensity rugby at Waikato Stadium.

Six tries to two, 25-3 at halftime, crunching defence and quick-witted grasping of counter-attacking opportunities all added up to Waikato taking a big step closer to the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup title.

Wellington head to Hamilton for the showdown on Saturday night. Right now, Wellington are good, with convincing back-to-back wins over Canterbury and Auckland. They'll need to be again if Gatland's men are to be denied.

Waikato's bracing style relies on swift movement and clear thinking. "Their defence won them the game," Otago captain Josh Blackie said. "Their whole game is based on rushed D [defence] and it worked effectively."

No one shirked the tackling responsibilities and Waikato had plenty to make.

The likes of Marty Holah, Jono Gibbes, Steven Bates and most of those with double digits on their backs were on their game.

They included Richard Kahui, who had a pre-game fitness test on a calf that had been playing up during the week. The medical staff were twitchy about the seriousness of it; the player knew better and was vindicated.

In a season where he has taken great strides, the New Zealand Colt nabbed the first try - his seventh of the campaign - when Nick Evans failed to cover a bouncing ball near the Otago line in only the fourth minute. He then put in a couple of thumping tackles as if to say, "See, no problems".

Otago weren't without their chances. They made some breaks but couldn't carry them on. They coughed up the ball too often in the tackle and, when the ball was turned over, Waikato frequently hurt them, driving play back with ground-eating interpassing or raking kicks.

It was as if Waikato wanted Otago's challenge to be gone by halftime. Sosene Anesi's two first-half tries sat the visitors back. The first came when he ran over late replacement wing Luke Devcich at the right corner; the second when Sione Lauaki took a quick-tapped penalty and surged to the line, with Anesi finishing off when it was recycled.

Blackie's wonderful try at the start of the second half - where he kicked ahead and regathered on the back of fullback Craig Clare's 60m weaving run - gave brief hope.

But, in an example of why Waikato are so formidable at the moment, they hit back five minutes later. Plenty of hands spread the ball about before Bates crossed from a ruck and drive close to the line. That was game over, in the 53rd minute.

Liam Messam had been on barely a minute when he pinched the ball from Anton Oliver in a tackle and burst 50m before cleverly flipping the pass to the flying Sitiveni Sivivatu; and replacement halfback Brendon Leonard's try in the last minute was an effective full-stop to the night.

David Hill is one game away from ending his Waikato career and heading to Bristol. He kicked six of eight.

Keith Robinson's comeback continued with a forceful 68 minutes' work. The pack, without a single current All Black, were conscientious and effective.

Otago weren't bad but they took some heavy hits and were unable to stop being ground up in the Waikato machine. They took the defeat hard. Coach Steve Martin, a pleasant, amiable man, was asked for a tip for the final.

"You want my honest opinion? I don't really care."