Wanganui win third division title

7.00pm

WANGANUI 28 KING COUNTRY 16


Wanganui went through the back door and stole the national third division rugby title in Te Kuiti today.

Finishing fourth in the round-robin competition, they beat top finishers South Canterbury last week and today downed the other favourites King Country, who finished second, to win the title and with it promotion into the second division next season.

Wanganui turned on an impressive forward display to win 28-16 after starving the homeside of possession to score three tries to two. They led 18-8 at halftime.

Wanganui coach Milton Haig said the side had targeted King Country's strength in the scrum and midfield.

"We wanted to play the game at the right end of the paddock, I'm really pleased with the work rate with forwards, the scrum went better as the game went on," he said.

"We have been trying all year to get things going."

The victory capped off a stunning mid-season recovery from Wanganui.

"We were the worst Wanganui team in history three weeks ago," hooker Anton Edwards said.

The game was played at fast pace in warm conditions which tested both teams.

"We wanted to move King Country around early because we knew it would pay dividends later in the game," Haig said.

"It takes time to put things into place and we have steadily improved since mid season.

"Our go-forward worked for us, the guys were unbelievable, they put their bodies on the line, it was the most committed display this season."

Wanganui shut out King Country in the first 30 minutes

Edwards, Vann Rauhina and JJ Walker recycled the ball effectively, allowing time for first five-eighth Leon Mason to link with his runners.

"We just didn't have any ball to work with in the first half and when we did we lost our opportunities to score," King Country coach Garry Crossan said.

"We were stumbling around in our own half on defence.

"We made ground when we had the ball, but we were not accurate enough."

Wanganui fullback Darren Firmin opened the scoring with a penalty in the sixth minute and increased the lead to 10-0 when he converted Rauhina's try after the forwards had driven 50m.

King Country's first-five Michael Blank closed the margin to 10-3 with a penalty goal but Firmin kicked a second penalty to regain their margin after 25 minutes.

King Country brought play deep inside Wanganui's 22. No 8 Josh Ostern crashed ahead and the ball was moved wide for wing Robbie Burgess to score.

From the kick-off Wanganui replied with a try to winger Che Barlow.

Blank kicked a second penalty in the 40th minute to go to the break with Wanganui ahead 18-11.

King Country started the second half strongly and looked to be gaining ascendency but errors undid their good work.

In a decisive moment, Wanganui halfback Josh Edwards broke from a ruck to feed centre Areta Lama and regather the pass to run 20m to score.

Firmin added the conversion for Wanganui and kicked a third penalty 10 minutes from time to put the game beyond King Country's reach at 28-11.

King Country threw everything at Wanganui in the last 10 minutes and were rewarded with a try to replacement winger Marc Baggott.

Wanganui Anton Edwards, JJ Walker, Scott Donald, Tomasi Kedrabuka were standouts in the tireless pack.

Second-five and captain Darin Balcombe stood out in defence while Leon Mason controlled played with his linking with his outside runners.

For King Country Jamarl Hona made a number of strong runs and was well supported by Josh Ostern and Jared Needham.

Blank had a mixed day, missing touch a number of times but found gaps in the defence. Outside him Eddie Robinson's work rate was impressive on attack and defence.


Wanganui 28 (Vann Rauhina, Che Barlow, Josh Edwards tries; Darren Firmin 3 pen, 2 con)

King Country 16 (Robbie Burgess, Marc Baggott tries; Michael Blank 2 pen)

Halftime 18-11


- NZPA