Rugby: Backup power keeps Waikato top of roost

By Wynne Gray

Successful Ranfurly Shield sides depend on a solid bench. Waikato emphasised that case in their latest 30-24 defence against Wellington when they were forced to use two late forward substitutes.

After the experience of tighthead prop Michael Collins and lock Mark Cooksley was lost late to injury, Paul Martin and Tony Petero moved into the trenches at Rugby Park in Hamilton, with Wellington sensing a few weaknesses to exploit.

They figured the rearrangement would give them an edge in the scrum - a real chance of forward dominance with Waikato's Greg Smith away on World Cup duty, Royce Willis also sidelined for the same reasons and skipper Deon Muir a little tender from recent NPC campaigns.

When defensive strongman Nick Holten dislocated his left shoulder with 30 minutes left there was even more of an opening but Waikato showed they have the quality to survive.

Both Martin and Petero lined up on the right hand side of the Waikato scrum and proved their solidity in that crucial department and the defensive screens while Petero, especially, was a very mobile and constructive lock.

It is mentally draining to retain the Shield for a long time but Waikato are showing the resilience, organisation and player depth which suggests they will keep the famous trophy until the end of the season.

So it was close but no cigar for Wellington on Saturday.

They showed promise and enterprise to push the holders hard but the lack of a quality first five eighth general and the concession of several soft tries cost them any chance of picking up the Shield for the first time since the early '80s.

A charge down, an intercept and a wild pass in their 22 cost Wellington three tries and, against a side as hard-nosed as Waikato, that is like giving them an early Lotto prize. But Wellington did attack for most of the game and some of their mistakes came through a little impetuosity.

Unfortunately, the judgment needed at some stages, the calming tactical play, did not come from David Holwell at first five eighths. His kicking for position and at goal was far too erratic, he did not use the possession surplus well while his opposite Glen Jackson, a player of similar age and experience, was far more composed.

No forward was as prominent as Wellington No 8 Filo Tiatia. His work rate on attack and defence was high and his errors low but too many of his team-mates were not of the same standard.

For the Waikato pack it was the ethic of teamwork. From Muir at No 8 up to David Briggs at loosehead prop they were a red, yellow and black blanket, they worked incessantly, accurately and untiringly.

The previous challenge from Taranaki was a brutal inquisition of the pack but was repelled, while Wellington went for a more rounded examination of the defenders. That inquiry came up short, too, as the steadiness of Jackson and Matthew Cooper outside him told in the final heat of battle.

There was also the individual genius of Roger Randle, whose speed and swerve created him a try in a confined space, and the continual pressure from livewire Bruce Reihana on the other wing which filled out the impressive Waikato jigsaw.