Precious win for Northland

By WYNNE GRAY

NORTHLAND 27 SOUTHLAND 20

Captain Glenn Taylor was limping and speedster Rupeni Caucaunibuca could hardly raise himself from the dressing room floor.

The physical toll of Northland's battle to avoid a relegation playoff was widespread, but so was their jubilation yesterday after their 27-20 win against Southland in Invercargill.

That elation was shared by the home side, because their late bonus point meant they, too, would stay in division one.

The result forced Bay of Plenty into a promotion-relegation scrap in a fortnight with the second division champions.

After nine weeks of turmoil, Northland had travelled to the other end of the country to claim a precious victory. It was their last game before the two semifinals this week, when Canterbury play Auckland and Waikato host Otago.

"We have struggled all year, we have operated without some class players, but we have remained positive and gutsed it out," coach Bryce Woodward said.

There was nothing contrived about both teams achieving their goal yesterday, it just panned out that way when Southland halfback Jimmy Cowan scored in the final minute to give the home side their vital point.

Woodward reckoned his side's leisurely departure time this morning would be a blessing, as his Southland hosts were sure to have been very hospitable last night.

"We put it on ourselves, we came down to Invercargill to do the business and had worked hard all year without much happening.

"We got a fast start, we were confident and we nailed it."

It was an appropriate sendoff for Woodward, who now stands aside to give his assistant, Donny Stevenson, the coaching chance.

"I made a pledge to him and I am going to stick by my word," he said. "I may want to stay involved, but it would be as a support for him."

It was an emotional day for Woodward, one that involved an encouraging spiel from long-time supporter Bill Kini.

"He mentioned to us how positive we had been throughout the struggles.

"Going into round seven we were dead last and had to win two of the last three games," Woodward said.

"If we had been bitching or moaning about our predicament we would not have survived.

"The instructions were to stay positive and keep attacking."

Victory would hold a number of players to the province and could even sway some late Super 12 selections for Blues coach Peter Sloane.

"I understand most want to stay on, and that would have been difficult if we had been down in division two," Woodward said.

Bay of Plenty lost their chance to stay in the first division when right-wing Jason Taitia dropped a cross kick that would have given his team two bonus points from their clash with Waikato.

Instead, they have to wait a fortnight before they play either Hawkes Bay or Counties Manukau for the right to play in the top level next season.

Although 30-year-old Brett Waaka may retire for Northland, it seems Taylor may be persuaded to have another season.

He played yesterday after a month out with knee damage and aggravated the injury towards the end of the match.

"The doc told me he was gone," Woodward said, "but he wanted to stay and you don't second-guess a warhorse. His leadership was vital under all that pressure. His goal is to play Super 12 again. I hope he gets in the Blues, but if not, his experience would be invaluable to some other franchise."

Most of the squad was re-signed for next season, including match-winning wings Caucaunibuca and Fero Lasagavibau, who bagged three of Northland's four tries between them.