Rugby: Auckland semi lead slips away from Suburbs

Coaches Mark Birtwistle and Shane King were left wondering what went wrong when Suburbs lost their semifinal against Ponsonby in the dying seconds.

The 20-23 scoreline was especially galling as Suburbs had an advantage. Ponsonby lock Jason Chandler was ordered off 15 minutes into the second half after collecting two yellow cards.

Chandler and Suburbs hooker Boris Stankovich were sinbinned over a scuffle and Ponsonby halfback Kevin Senio followed soon after.

Suburbs took advantage of being a man up with a try by No 8 Mose Tuali'i. Ponsonby managed to regularly duff tackles and touch-finders, and only desperate and sometimes lucky defence held out the brilliant Suburbs backs, Malili Muliaina and Rico Gear.

Gear touched down midway through the first half and with Therri Rahui off target, Suburbs led 15-0 until late in the half when Ponsonby hooker Nathan Kemp ended a 50m movement with a try.

Left-wing Holo Taufahema scored from a move that started 10m from Ponsonby's line. But late in the half, halfback Eti Mamea scored to put Suburbs in front again, 20-16. Then came the last-ditch try by Senio and that was the end of the Suburbs' effort.

Otahuhu claimed the other spot in the final when they tore University apart 61-14 in a display that will have the red and blacks favoured at Eden Park next Saturday.

They scored nine tries to two, with star players Orene Ai'i and Keven Mealamu in marvellous form.

The Jubilee Trophy semifinalists are Marist, who beat Pakuranga 24-13, and Waitakere City, who surprised Waitemata 16-15.