Nepia shines in Division Two NPC semi

If your name is Nepia, then it might be expected that you perform heroics for Hawke's Bay rugby. Donovan Nepia, former New Zealand Sevens representative and a distant relative of the great George Nepia, obliged yesterday, kicking the Bay to victory over a brave North Otago and into the Division Two final.

Before the match, nothing was more certain than unbeaten Hawke's Bay making the final. You'd have bet the mortgage on it. A North Otago win? More likely that hailstones the size of cricket balls would rain down in Sydney and smash car windows. Only no one told North Otago.

All season they have been making believers out of those with a lack of faith and their self-belief showed through for much of a dour match before Hawke's Bay slowly wrested control - and the berth in the final against the winner of today's clash between Counties-Manukau and Nelson Bays.

Maybe Hawke's Bay overdid the training. Worried that his team might not be focusing fully after a weekend off, coach Brendon Ratcliffe served up some painful training sessions. Such punishment can sometimes lead to flatness.

But it was also a committed and stubborn display from North Otago, who took matters to Hawke's Bay for much of the game. They had the best scoring chances in the first half, with winger Faaitu Tuamohela knocking on a hopeful long pass with the line open.

A few minutes later, halfback Ryan McCarthy had only to pick up the ball for a try that was begging to be scored after Hawke's Bay bungled their scrum clearance close to the line. McCarthy snatched at the ball and knocked on. The half ended square at 3-3.

Overall, it wasn't a pretty match. The rain and wet ground played a role but there were too many mistakes and turnovers from two sides who seemed to cancel each other out. Both defended stoutly - particularly North Otago in the first half.

They have some handy characters, with bulky first five-eighths Matt Adair kicking cleverly and 110kg fullback Luke Herden often making himself available and scoring the first try of the match to go with two Adair penalties.

Blindside flanker Adam Kettle steamed around the paddock effectively, while Hawke's Bay always looked likely to take control at set pieces but were strangely muted for much of the game.

Kettle gave away two penalties - one which looked unjust and one which involved him doing a Riverdance on a Bay forward. The touch judge had a word and the referee ordered a penalty which Nepia kicked. You could say it was a case of the "cop" calling the Kettle back.

In the end, a tiring North Otago gave away a fifth penalty to the 100 per cent successful Nepia.

Division Two

Hawke's Bay 15

North Otago 11

- HERALD ON SUNDAY