Phew that's over, now for the hard bit for BOP

By CHRIS RATTUE


Bay of Plenty have been handed the toughest task in New Zealand rugby after making their first NPC first division semifinal.

The Bay, who won the inaugural round robin NPC in 1976, booked their place with an epic 14-9 triumph against North Harbour at Albany.

They travel to face in-form Canterbury, who are full of fresh and firing All Blacks, should have the famously competitive Justin Marshall back from injury, and get a seven-day break.

Friday night's semifinal pits table-topping Wellington - who are set to lose Jerry Collins to suspension - against battered Waikato, courageous winners over Taranaki.

Waikato suffered their standard injury blow, with reserve wing Solo Korovata concussed and breaking a collar bone. Star wing Sitiveni Sivivatu limped out of the game.

In Invercargill, Collins was sent off by Steve Walsh for a high tackle on Southland's Paul Miller, who was dazed but continued. Collins was suspended for a similar offence on test comrade Chris Jack in the Super 12.

The story of the season is Bay of Plenty, who will be rank outsiders against Canterbury, but who took the Ranfurly Shield from them in round four. That result separated the teams on the final points table.

Bay of Plenty, with only a sprinkling of Super 12 professionals and battling out of a $360,000 financial hole, have never made the semifinals, introduced in 1992.

Their star pivot, Glen Jackson, said: "It's a dream season and it just keeps continuing. Winning the Ranfurly Shield in Auckland was pretty special, but making the semifinals is what every player aspires to. It's just great for the union and the players.

"We've only lost two games and no one would have believed that at the beginning of the year. That Auckland game gave us a lot of belief."

Jackson is heading to English club Saracens although he has an out clause for All Black selection, something his coach, Vern Cotter, believes should be on the cards.

Jackson said the Steamers continually pulled team-mates off the ground at North Harbour Stadium to get them back in defence.

"That's what this team has grown to be - guys just helping each other," said Jackson.

So can Bay of Plenty do the impossible against Canterbury?

Harbour coach Allan Pollock and captain Joe Ward were divided.

Pollock praised the Steamers, saying: "They put their bodies on the line ... all teams in New Zealand can learn from them. There's no doubting that undying commitment to their team-mates."

But he added: "Canterbury are firing. The way they are off-loading, both backs and the forwards ... they're not dying with the ball. They play with width, style, and have a good balance between pace and power. I expect they're going to have a pretty good year."

Ward disagreed, saying the Bay could beat anyone.

"If they can defend as they did today, and put numbers in and around the ball ... they showed today that defence can win them the game. Maybe they're not the best attacking team, but they've got great character."

Meanwhile, Harbour assistant coach Mark Anscombe claimed referee Kelvin Deaker was lenient on Bay's goal-line defence.

"When we were driving, their guys were staying on our side ... and they were collapsing a lot of our mauls.

"Don't get get me wrong, they deserve their win. But some teams seem to get a bit more latitude."


Semifinals

Wellington v Waikato Westpac Stadium, 7.35pm Friday

Canterbury v Bay of Plenty Jade Stadium, 7.35pm Saturday


NPC fixtures, results and standings
Division One | Division Two |