Rugby: Waikato's shock loss was start of the end

A defeat at Pukekohe was followed by three more losses, as CHRIS RATTUE reports.

Pinpointing the turning point in Waikato's season is a doddle: their 30-32 loss to Counties Manukau at Pukekohe in round six spelled the beginning of the end for the Mooloo men.

Waikato had shown a tough core at times, with a comeback win at Carisbrook and by comprehensively rejecting Ranfurly Shield challenges from Northland and North Harbour.

But there was the odd worrying sign, especially when stragglers Southland put up a much tougher fight than expected at Hamilton.

And the season ended disastrously for Waikato as they lost to Counties Manukau, Canterbury, Auckland and Wellington.

It was that loss to the Steelers which really hurt. Any side with top-four aspirations can ill afford to drop points against one of the bottom sides in the competition.

With the NPC being played over just nine rounds, it is very difficult to make up for a loss against a side all the other title contenders have beaten or will beat.

"We really let ourselves down losing to the bottom team," coach Kiwi Searancke said. "I think the fact it was a local derby did more for them than it did for us.

"As individual players, as a team and as a union, they had so much to prove.

"They showed they can be a very good team, and good on them. But it was bad news for us.

"We ended up not having enough points going into the last three games against Canterbury, Auckland and Wellington.

"You are always going to do extremely well to come out with three wins against those teams and you need to have enough points before those games.

"Finishing seventh is totally unacceptable for Waikato and I believe we are a better team than that."

Not only did Waikato fail to make the semifinals, but after a two-and-a-half-season run with the Ranfurly Shield, they lost the famous trophy to Canterbury.

Maybe the shield had some affect on the end-of-season troubles.

Shield-holders have to deal with teams who find extra commitment and there must be an extra emotional drain in hanging on to what is still a prized trophy in New Zealand sport, even if the advent of the professional game may have lessened some of its significance.

New Chiefs coach John Mitchell, though, has already suggested the problem runs deeper than that.

Mitchell says the Chiefs - and Waikato provide the bulk of the squad - are simply not strong enough and he is set to introduce a regime to solve what he sees as a fundamental problem.

Searancke partly disputes Mitchell's claims, saying tests have shown the players' fitness and strength is up with the best in New Zealand. But he does concede they need more "explosive power."

Despite the failure to make the top four, Waikato could find some encouragement with the performances of their two new flankers, Marty Holah and Jonno Gibbes.

Chresten Davis and Royce Willis also came to the fore at times, Scott McLeod kicked some new life into his career, and Todd Miller was sometimes superb, particularly in the heavy defeat against Wellington.

Coach Searancke picked out captain and No 8 Deon Muir for "consistently playing to his best every week."

The New Zealand and Super 12 selections could play a major part in determining who Waikato have available for selection next year, with players such as Muir and McLeod targeted by overseas clubs.

Muir has already expressed disappointment at his treatment at the Chiefs, and revealed he has big offers - particularly one from Japan - which are tempting him to go offshore.

Where he fits in Mitchell's plans will be crucial.

There are also concerns that flanker Nick Holten might be doubtful because of a bad hamstring tear.

Despite the poor finish, Waikato still appear to have the ingredients for a very strong NPC side and if Mitchell can steer the Chiefs to better things, it must have a flow-on effect that will help the province.

Key players such as Willis and Davis are still fairly young and can form the backbone of a very strong side. And without the distraction of the Ranfurly Shield, Waikato might find they can put together a more complete NPC season next time around.