Rugby: Auckland seal semi spot

Gareth Anscombe scored a try and notched 20 points to help Auckland to a win over Northland. Photo / Getty

Auckland 38
Northland 10

Auckland did the job and can start planning for a semifinal in either New Plymouth or Nelson next weekend.

Before more than 5000 at Eden Park, Auckland secured fourth in the ITM Cup Premiership with a controlled 38-10 bonus-point win. The bonus point was valuable, to assure them of a spot in the playoffs, but first-five Gareth Anscombe's 20 points were equally valuable.

There was plenty to play for for the home side: the preservation of a three-year unbeaten record at Eden Park, Anscombe's last game here for a long time, not to mention ITM Cup playoffs rugby. Oh, and their three All Blacks needed a hit-out ahead of Bledisloe Cup duty next Saturday night.

The Taniwha were also playing for a home Championship semifinal, buoyed by Hawke's Bay being held to a 20-20 draw with Southland in the Ranfurly Shield defence immediately beforehand. Northland are not the easybeats of yesteryear and were intent on taking it to Auckland.

That much was apparent when flanker Kara Pryor made a searing burst and sent in prop Willgriff John, who had plenty to do and did it with skill.

Anscombe kept Auckland moving forward in threes until he was sinbinned for deliberately knocking the ball down with Northland threatening. In his absence, Visinia stepped up, even with a tight hamstring, and banged over a 47m penalty.

Auckland then started to flex their muscle, Anscombe stepping nicely off his left foot to score their first try. Field position was starting to tell, as was some bruising defence by the home forwards.

Left wing Jone Macilai was the danger man for Northland, particularly on the counter-attack. The Taniwha forwards, especially No6 Jack Ram, mucked in and won several important turnovers but little came of them.

Anscombe was in fine fettle for Auckland, yellow card aside, and even tackled effectively - an area seen as his weakness.

The locking duo of Liaki Moli and Jack Whetton won the lion's share of lineout ball and offered value around the track, as did No8 Blake Gibson and Nepia Fox-Matamua, great-great grandson of the great George Nepia, in his run-on debut. Tom McCartney, in his 93rd and possibly last game for the union, was his usual committed, industrious self.

Centre Hadleigh Parkes was as solid as ever, and left wing Charlie Piutau sought work at every opportunity as he seeks the All Blacks No 14 jersey.

There was a touching moment at halftime, when radio personality Peter 'PJ' Montgomery was given an Auckland rugby jersey by union president Maurice Trapp in honour of his final sideline call at the ground after more than 42 years.

Auckland 38 (G. Anscombe, L. Visinia, T. McCartney, N. Fox-Matamua tries; Anscombe 3 cons, 3 pens; Visinia pen)
Northland 10 (W. John try; D. Hawkins con, pen).
HT: 19-10.