Auckland make the semis

For the first time since 2007 Auckland are in the semifinals of New Zealand’s provincial competition, the ITM Cup, and they will have a home semi because they ended in second place after they beat Tasman 49-10 at Eden Park despite being without their All Blacks.

Star of the show was the young flyhalf Gareth Anscombe who scored 34 of his side’s points with three tries, three penalties and 10 conversions. He missed just one kick at goal. Anscombe’s second try earned the home side a bonus point with 10 minutes to play, as he sped round fullback Robbie Malneek and then he added another. It was a virtuoso performance.

The bonus-point try was vital to Auckland as it was the difference between playing their semifinal against Waikato at home or in Hamilton. The home side’s Brent Ward scored their thirds try after 51 minutes and they had to wait a frustrating 19 minutes to get the pleasing fourth.

It was not all one-way traffic for the Aucklanders as Tasman got stuck into them in the first half which ended just 13-3 to the home side after scrumhalf Toby Morland had scored a try and Anscombe kicked the rest.

In the second half, despite a try by wing Kade Poki Tasman flagged and victory for Auckland became inevitable.

The scorers:

For Auckland:
Tries: Anscombe 3, Morland, Ward, Atieli Pakalani
Cons: Anscombe 5
Pens: Anscombe 3

For Tasman:
Try: Poki
Con: Hawkins
Pen: Marshall

Hawke’s Bay 31-28 Counties-Manukau

The Scorers:

For Hawke’s Bay:
Tries: Fotuali’i, Evans, Johnson, Kaka
Cons: Jackman 3, Kirkpatrick
Pen: Jackman

For Counties-Manukau:
Tries: Lee, Nanai-Williams, Forbes
Con: Nanai-Williams
Pens: Nanai-Williams 2