Rugby: Log o' Wood staying in Waikato custody

By Chris Rattue

The Waikato players were given the chance to let off some celebratory steam following the final Ranfurly Shield defence of the season - before re-focusing on their priority goal of winning the NPC.

Waikato's 29-17 win over Otago at Rugby Park on Saturday completed two seasons of defences in which they have repelled the challenges from every first-division side.

With one round remaining, Otago's defence of their NPC crown is in dire straits, although they still have a chance to make the semifinals.

Waikato's win at their dilapidated stadium was played out in front of a crowd of 18,000, and the players celebrated with the fans afterwards.

Captain Deon Muir held the shield aloft in front of a cheering crowd but it was veteran back and goalkicker Matthew Cooper who ran with the trophy towards the open terraces, as the players became lost in a sea of supporters' Waikato jerseys. It was Cooper's last Ranfurly Shield match as he is quitting first-class rugby at the end of the season.

Muir said: "I thought I'd give him [Cooper] the shield since he's been here the longest, and he's got us out of some nasty situations."

Waikato have often tried to downplay the significance of the shield but the reaction of the players and the crowd after the match showed its real meaning to the team and the province.

Coach Kiwi Searancke said the side had planned Saturday and Sunday celebrations before knuckling down to the job of winning the NPC title, the major goal this season.

That begins with a tricky assignment in the final round against Northland on Saturday night. Northland have won all three of their night games at home this season, against Canterbury, Wellington and Southland.

But the odds look good for Waikato to hold on to second position and gain a home semifinal, but a loss in Whangarei would open the door for other teams.

Searancke said: "I feel nothing but pride about the current crop of Waikato players and what they've done for the last couple of years.

"The shield has added a lot of pressure, although we've tried to manage that. [The pressure] is not just at home - every team just wants to knock you over."

Muir added: "There has been a lot of pressure having the shield - we don't want to see it again for the next couple of weeks."

Otago appeared to make a last roll of the dice in trying to salvage their campaign when wing/fullback Brendan Laney was switched to first five-eighths in place of Mat Carrington, who returned to the wing.

Otago tried Laney at the pivot spot a couple of times at training last week and despite listing Carrington there, finally decided to take the plunge with Laney.

"We wanted to create a bit of confusion close to the forwards," said coach Kevin Gloag.

It meant another new pairing in the halves, with Dave Gibson replacing Cory Brown.

The Laney experiment was certainly worth trying. Otago needed some creativity and his unpredictable running did open up the odd opportunity.

Gibson, though, struggled to clear the ball from rucks. Waikato had similar, although fewer, problems in that area.

Otago's not-so-secret weapon was the powerful charging of Isitolo Maka, especially from the back of the scrum, and that, plus a committed pack, helped to keep Otago in the hunt more than the Laney experiment.

Waikato lost lock Mark Cooksley for 10 minutes midway through the first half when he was sinbinned for a high tackle on Gibson. It was a clumsy effort from a big man on a small man.

Laney's goal from the penalty gave Otago a 12-8 lead but they failed to score during Cooksley's absence and a Cooper penalty and a nicely organised Glen Jackson drop goal had Waikato leading 14-12 at halftime.

Waikato always seemed in control in the second half despite battling a 1-10 penalty count. A thundering 40m run to the tryline from recalled centre Scott McLeod in the 55th minute opened up a 19-12 lead. Three minutes later prop David Briggs drove over, with Glen Jackson converting.

Otago quickly countered through a Mathew Priscott try, and they had further attacking chances, but Waikato always appeared to have the necessary edge The one down-side for Waikato was having impressive flanker Ryan Wheeler, who was dazed in the 75th minute, stretchered off.

But this was a rugby occasion to celebrate for the Waikato team and their fans.