Waikato revitalised, Otago miss out

The bloke who wagered $50,000 on Otago to win this match must have felt sick but it's a fair bet the wager stemmed from the strange malaise afflicting Waikato rugby this year.

Waikato have looked distinctly off-colour in losing their previous five matches. The rush defence didn't work. They didn't have the old authority at scrum and lineout, ruck and maul nor did they have a lot of luck. They seemed to be suffering from a mystery illness.

But, whatever coach Warren Gatland's been putting in the Waikato feed, the cowbells clanged with a little more conviction yesterday.

In theory, Otago were playing for a home semifinal if Auckland happened to lift the Ranfurly Shield at Christchurch.


In practice, they played much of the match as if they didn't like that bloke with the $50,000. In the first 10 minutes, playing with the wind, Waikato strung together some good phases.


First-five Stephen Donald and centre Mark Ranby probed and a fine Donald pass saw No 8 Stephen Bates through a hole to deliver the scoring pass to fullback Sosene Anesi.

However, Otago began to muster the sort of control they displayed in leading Canterbury 24-0 last week, took the upper hand in the scrums and dealt better with the blustery winds at lineout time.

But they looked flat offensively and it was 36 minutes before a movement saw them attacking in Waikato's 22 with ball in hand - and all they earned was a Nick Evans penalty.

There weren't many who advanced their All Black hopes considerably - Waikato halfback Byron Kelleher was combative all day; flanker Marty Holah has suffered from Lone Soldier Syndrome for most of the season but had a good second half; Bates must be close to the best in the country in terms of work rate, endeavour and effort and has managed to avoid being infected by the Waikato malady.

Sitiveni Sivivatu looked like he had been kidnapped and replaced by his neighbour before one weaving run in the second half revealed that it actually was him - and it led to Donald's key try.

Sione Lauaki went on one crushing run leading up to Anesi's try and another down the wing and worked hard all game.

Perhaps the most interesting clash was that between the first-fives, Evans and Donald. On the whole, Donald was superior yesterday. He is a danger to any defensive line and ran, kicked and defended well.

Otago mounted a late second half offensive with a try to Jason Shoemark - from a beautiful pass by Neil Brew - but Waikato inoculated themselves against defeat with a try to replacement David Hill on the back of yet another Bates charge.

Waikato 25

(S. Anesi, S. Donald, D. Hill tries; Donald 2 con, 2 pen).

Otago 13

(J. Shoemark try; N. Evans con, 2 pen).

Halftime: 10-3.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY