Ranfurly Shield heads to Dunedin
NPC SATURDAY WRAP: The Otago Razorbacks have written another dramatic chapter in the long history of the Ranfurly Shield with a tense 23-19 victory over Waikato in Hamilton.
Otago thus claims the Shield for the first time since 2013 but also secures a home Championship semifinal against Hawke’s Bay next weekend.
Meanwhile, Bay of Plenty has belatedly rediscovered its form after a thrilling 38-35 victory in Tauranga over Northland, but the Steamers are just squeezed out of the semifinals.
And Canterbury have finished their regular season with a hard-fought 19-14 win over Counties Manukau but will miss out on a home semifinal after failing to secure a bonus point.
Waikato 19-23 Otago
Ben Herring’s charges defeated the form team of the competition in fine style in sunny yet windy conditions.
Captain Michael Collins, the sole Razorbacks survivor from the 2013 Shield win on the same ground, lifted the venerable silverware in jubilation after an outstanding encounter which saw free-flowing rugby, moments of controversy and several pressure points.
Otago won most of the early pressure points, racing to a 17-0 first quarter lead on the back of pack physicality, a sound set-piece and emphatic sweeping movements.
Wing Mitchell Scott opened the scoring in the corner, the last pass delivered by opensider Slade McDowall. Lock Josh Dickson was in between the uprights after a break by No.10 Josh Ioane, who was one of the best on the day. Matt Faddes made a slashing break which led to Joketani Koroi scoring for the 17-0 advantage.
Mitch Jacobson made a long break for Waikato, which led to prop Josh Iosefa-Scott scoring, and wing Tyler Campbell scored at half-time to reduce the deficit to eight. Hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho had what looked to be a try ruled out by the TMO for obstruction.
When wing Bailyn Sullivan crossed in the corner after a sweeping build-up by the home side, it was game-on at 20-19.
Otago was feeling the pressure, losing some key line-outs as Waikato gradually gained the initiative.
The score stayed at 23-19 for almost 20 minutes as both sides tired. The Mooloos were finishing the stronger, but just as they were flexing their muscle for a final push, replacement loose forward Jono Armstrong came up with a silly play to see referee Brendon Pickerill reverse his penalty.
Otago only needed to hang on, play smart and the Shield was heading back to Dunedin.
The scorers:
For Otago:
Tries: Mitchell Scott, Josh Dickson, Joketani Koroi
Con: Josh Ioane
Pens: Josh Ioane 2
For Waikato:
Tries: Josh Iosefa-Scott, Tyler Campbell, Bailyn Sullivan
Cons: Fletcher Smith 2
Bay of Plenty 38-35 Northland
The Steamers ran in six tries, four in a dominant first half, when they led 26-7 under another warm sun over Tauranga Domain. Some of the continuity and skills among the forwards, especially lock Kane Leaupepe, was outstanding.
Prop James Lay opened the account, driving over after several phases. His fellow front-rower Jeff Thwaites followed soon afterwards, in a movement starting with flanker Mitch Karpik.
Centre Liam Steel then scored by the posts after a 17-phase movement.
Young right wing Emoni Narawa showed a step, fend and clinical finish to score a try on debut. He also started the move that set up left wing Fa’asiu Fuatai. Unfortunately he was then carted off with a broken leg.
The depleted Taniwha missed no less than 19 first half tackles, but they were on the board when flanker Aorangi Stokes scored. It was a glimmer of hope for the visitors. They needed that.
When Ropate Rinakama crossed, the third front-row try of the day, the Taniwha had pulled it back to 26-14. But the Steamers were able to keep their noses in front with an opportunist effort to fullback Chase Tiatia.
With three minutes to play, it was game over at 38-21 to Bay of Plenty, but Northland was not finished. Two pieces of Scott Gregory magic handed the Taniwha two bonus points. His bust and offload set up Tamati Tua and then, on the stroke of full-time, he again split the tiring Steamers defence to put wing Jordan Hyland in the corner.
Northland will now regroup to face top qualifier Waikato in the Championship semifinals. The Taniwha finish on 24 points, while the Steamers finish fifth on 21.
The scorers:
For Bay of Plenty:
Tries: James Lay, Jeff Thwaites, Liam Steel, Emoni Narawa, Fa’asiu Fuatai, Chase Tiatia
Cons: Kaleb Trask 4
For Northland:
Tries: Aorangi Stokes, Ropate Rinakama, Noah Cooper, Tamati Tua, Jordan Hyland
Cons: Jack Debreczeni 3 Wiseguy Faiane 2
Counties Manukau 14-19 Canterbury
With Auckland four points ahead of Canterbury and with a game in hand, Canterbury needed a bonus point win to have any chance of hosting a semifinal next week.
Counties Manukau have endured a torrid season but were looking to finish their year on a high and secure their first win over a Premiership opponent in 2018.
Canterbury piled a 20-phase assault on the Steelers line in the dying moments to pick up a bonus point try, but the Steelers defence held firm to pick up a losing bonus point of their own.
It was the sixth loss by seven points or less for Counties Manukau this season to show they have not been far off the pace despite only winning two games against Southland Hawke’s Bay.
A real talking point of the clash was the injury comebacks of All Blacks props Joe Moody and Nepo Laulala to either side in the 50th minute. Laulala had the edge over Moody as Counties Manukau forced four straight scrum penalties against Canterbury mid-way through the second half.
Trailing 14-19 at that point, the Steelers couldn’t capitilise on their scrum domination as Canterbury foiled the Steelers attack and there was to be no addition to the score.
Canterbury opened the scoring early through George Bridge but then it was Counties who made most of the running in the first half as Nigel Ah Wong and replacement wing Sione Molia crossed for a 14-7 lead.
In typical fashion, Canterbury scored on the stroke of half-time through Braydon Ennor to close the gap to 14-12 at the break.
The only scoring play of the second half came in the 45th minute when Canterbury forced a penalty try from a scrum close to the Steelers line to take the 19-14 lead.
Soon after the penalty try, Nepo Laulala was injected into the fray and made a huge impact but it wasn’t enough to lift Counties Manukau to a famous victory.
Canterbury are now left to wait on the result of the Auckland vs North Harbour game on Sunday to see whether they travel to Nelson to take on Tasman next week or to Eden Park for a clash with Auckland.
The scorers:
For Counties Manukau:
Tries: Nigel Ah Wong, Sione Molia
Cons: Luteru Laulala 2
For Canterbury:
Tries: George Bridge, Braydon Ennor, Penalty Try
Con: Mitchell Drummond
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