Hawke's Bay 30 Waikato 26
KEY POINTS:
If the bosses at the NZRU want to illustrate the success of the Air New Zealand Cup, they need only gesture to Hawkes Bay.
The Magpies secured a home quarterfinal last night with an exciting win over Waikato and continued to add interest to this year's domestic competition. If there has been a team to personify the NZRU's hopes in bringing parity and competitiveness back to New Zealand's provincial game, it has been Hawkes Bay. They have the crowds, they have popular support welling up as in yesteryear and they provide pride and entertainment.
Auckland's no-nonsense win showed the defending champions how to beat Hawkes Bay at McLean Park, their only loss at home this season, and it looked as if the Mooloos might follow suit. The Magpies spilled the opening kickoff, Waikato recycled and Stephen Bates waltzed through a massive gap to put Liam Messam over within the first minute.
It was all too easy and it muted the rowdy crowd. But the Bay, with their rugged forward pack setting the standard, displayed huge character. Skipper Danny Lee provided the spark when he attacked the blind and centre Jason Shoemark scored after good setup work from flanker Karl Lowe, regarded as a burgeoning talent.
Penalty goals from William Ripia kept Waikato in front before the Bay finished the half strongly. They scored a spectacular long-range try, with Shoemark showing good hands again before several transfers put promising winger Zac Guildford away.
An efficient set-piece attack from the scrum base saw Guildford in again to give the hosts a 23-16 lead and a heroes' reception at halftime. After the break, Waikato called again on their most potent weapons, their loose forwards, to attack the midfield.
But the highly touted trio of Bates, Messam and Marty Holah were being matched and even outshone in the loose by their underdog rivals. Again, Lowe and Grant Webb played leading roles. If there was any doubt the Bay could back up their form at the business end of the season then another Shoemark try - from an intercept - eliminated that.
The former NZ U21 centre outsprinted Sosene Anesi over 50m to score. A minute later they should have had another but they couldn't close the deal with the tryline open.
Referee Matt Stanish was in the spotlight then and again when he controversially awarded a try to Waikato from a blatant forward pass from Ripia to Anesi - only to change his call, to the disgust of the Mooloos. For the remaining 30 minutes, Waikato continued to attack but were outmuscled by dominating fringe defence.
The Bay held on, even with substitute George Naoupo sinbinned for the final seven minutes, and deserved the maximum points. The Magpies will be at home for the quarterfinals and they should also have several in the Hurricanes next season.
Hawke's Bay 30 (Z. Guildford 2, J. Shoemark 2 tries; M. Berquist 2 pen, 2 con) Waikato 26 (L. Messam, J. Willison tries; W. Ripia 4 pen, 2 con). Halftime: 23-16.
* Southland constructed a fond home farewell for skipper Clarke Dermody, going back to basics to confirm a provincial rugby quarterfinal by subduing Manawatu 30-11 in Invercargill yesterday.
Fittingly, it was the England-bound former All Blacks prop who laid the basis for Southland's fifth successive Air NZ Cup victory against stubborn opponents still seeking their first away win since re-admission to the top flight last season.
When Dermody burrowed over the tryline in the 50th minute after a close range lineout the momentum of the ninth round match swung in the home side's favour.
Dermody's try followed two Blair Stewart penalties nailed within five minutes of the restart and, despite Manawatu sticking to their expansive gameplan, they were ultimately ground down by Southland's dominant pack.
Southland 30 (C. Dermody, N. Soqeta, J. Kawau tries; B. Stewart 3 pen, 3 con) Manawatu 11 (A. Good try; M. James pen, dropped goal). Halftime: 3-11.
Air Nz Cup
Hawkes Bay 30
Waikato 26
