Waikato 25 Tasman 23
KEY POINTS:
Waikato survived a torrid test from Tasman to emerge 25-23 victors in an entertaining Air NZ Cup rugby match in Blenheim today.
Having lost the Ranfurly Shield to Canterbury a week ago Waikato ventured south needing a solid result to lift their spirits.
They did not get that as Tasman threatened to pocket the competition points before a late converted try enabled Waikato to leave town with at least their pride intact.
It was a Liam Messam special which tipped the scales in the visitors' favour, the quality loose forward charging on to a flat pass from halfback David Bason to score his second try in the 71st minute.
William Ripia's conversion from in front edged Waikato in front and Tasman's hopes faded when replacement first five-eighth James Foote's 38m penalty drifted to the left six minutes from fulltime.
It took Messam's direct approach to finally douse Tasman's flame after they looked more than capable of causing a boilover result as unexpected as Hawke's Bay's shock win over Wellington in the second round.
Waikato coach Warren Gatland made numerous changes to his starting personnel for this game but was forced to go to the bench early in the second half, hauling on former All Blacks Tom Willis, Stephen Donald and Marty Holah, with Tasman leading 23-18.
Tasman had shown glimpses of their quality to haul themselves back from a 5-18 deficit after Waikato scored early tries to Messam from an intercept and hooker Aled de Malmanche.
That 13-point buffer was almost wiped out within a period of five minutes before halftime as Tasman stuck to their policy of keeping the ball in hand while playing into a strong breeze at Lansdowne Park.
Right winger Afeleki Pelenise made a great run down the flank in a move which ended with hooker Daniel Perrin crashing over, then replacement midfield back Sione Holani scored after changing the angle of attack and running against the traffic.
First five-eighth Tim Taylor's conversion dragged Tasman to 17-18 at halftime, which they soon turned into a 23-18 lead when Taylor landed two penalties early after the interval.
Waikato 25 (Liam Messam 2, Aled de Malmanche tries; William Ripia 2 pen, 2 con) Tasman 23 (Robbie Malneek, Daniel Perrin, Sione Holani tries; Tim Taylor 2 pen, con). Halftime: 18-17.
- NZPA
