Waikato rugby league humbles Southland

Waikato played the role of party spoilers just magnificently.

It was the final round of this year’s newly created rugby league national championship, between two unbeaten sides, with the winner progressing to a promotionrelegation match against the bottom side from the premiership.

The scene was set in Invercargill on Saturday for what was being dubbed the Southland Rams’ biggest match in their 108-year history, and first against a North Island side since 1997.

The visitors put on a masterclass, with a fine forward effort laying the platform for their nine tries, as the hosts could only watch on helpless.

With Malcolme Noda at his scheming best out of dummy half, winger Morgan Harper was a happy recipient of a first-half hat-trick in the left corner, while fullback Aaron Jolley notched 24 points after landing eight from the tee.

Waikato made a few nervous errors early on, and it was an arm wrestle for a time. They got on the board after 12 minutes through prop Eru Keepa, before Southland replied on 22 minutes. But from there it was all downhill for the southerners, with Harper nabbing the first of his three soon after the restart.

Waikato are set to now face the Wellington Orcas at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium next Saturday evening, with a place in next year’s top flight in the offing.

‘‘This is what we’ve prepared and planned for since the beginning of our campaign,’’ Kutia said. ‘‘We’ve ticked the boxes throughout the rep season.’’