Rugby: Mud, Waikato conspire to confound Counties

By Richard Boock

HAMILTON - This is what they call a home ground advantage.

Rain of biblical proportions, mud from goal-line to goal-line, and - just in case any decent footing remains - a curtainraiser to cut up the last square metre of the surface.

Counties Manukau never stood a chance on Saturday.

From the moment their mascot miscalculated his entrance into Rugby Park and, to the delight of 10,000, demonstrated the lack of traction underfoot, Waikato's hold on the Ranfurly Shield always looked fairly safe.

If Counties were disappointed with the conditions, Waikato's grafting pack welcomed the mire like a long-lost family bog, and after indulging themselves for 80 minutes, were chiefly responsible for the 27-11 scoreline.

Not only did they have a slight edge on Counties in both the loose and tight forwards, but the holders also held the initiative in that key play-making area of No 8, halfback and first five-eighths, where Deon Muir, Rhys Duggan and Glen Jackson respectively, controlled the game.

Waikato scored two tries to Counties' late consolation effort from Joeli Vidiri, and already seemed to have their 12th defence wrapped up at halftime, when they led 18-6.

This was your typical wet-weather rugby, where the most inventive and expansive team usually play second fiddle to the tight, forward-oriented but less error-prone opponent, and in that respect Counties became another statistic on Saturday.

Try as the might, their forwards were unable to make enough of an impression for their backs to prosper, although there were some sterling contributions throughout their line-up.

Fullback Loki Crichton provided a couple of moments of pure magic, George Leaupepe was strong and willing in the centres, and loose forwards Loula Tukino and Glenn Marsh worked tirelessly - but it was the effort of wing-colossus Jonah Lomu which warmed the hearts of rugby folk in general.

The big guy turned in one of his busiest games, looking far more industrious in general play, and several times testing the depth of Waikato's defence with charges of fixed-bayonet intensity.

He even tried a 45m penalty shot after half-an-hour, his left-footed attempt falling just short, and - though he was not able to make the same impact in the second half - he must at least have pleased the All Black selectors with his work-rate.

Despite these brave efforts, however, Waikato's scrum, lineout and continuity were all superior, their backline exerted pressure all day, and Matt Cooper's goal-kicking, not to mention his opportunism, was finely tuned throughout.

Cooper, who finished the match with 22 points, chalked up Waikato's first points in the ninth minute when he made the most of superior numbers on the shortside to score near the corner.

He added another five penalties and a conversion, the latter on the stroke of halftime after Counties were again outnumbered on the left, and Bruce Reihana stepped inside Vidiri to score.

Vidiri regained some face late in the second half when he stormed down the blindside and barged through Reihana to score, but it was too little too late for Counties, who could not again threaten the line.