Tribalism of NPC alive and kicking
When Counties Manukau pipped Otago 23-22 on Saturday, respective captains Sekope Kepu and James Lentjes reminded rugby fans why the tribalism of the national provincial championship shouldn’t be underestimated.
While there’s no disputing the NPC, now played with all 14 teams competing for one title, comes a distant second to Super Rugby Pacific it still means plenty to the blokes at the coal face.
Kepu and Lentjes spoke with passion, and clarity, during the post-match interviews on Saturday afternoon as they offered their insights into a pulsating match that was decided by a late drop goal from Counties No 10 Riley Hohepa in Pukekohe.
Ex-wallabies prop Kepu, who captained Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby Pacific this year, talked eloquently about what the victory meant for his men and the province after they pounced on an Otago mistake at the opposite end of the field to switch themselves into attack-mode.
Loose forward Lentjes, on the other hand, couldn’t hide his disappointment. He lamented his side’s lack of accuracy and decisionmaking, especially at the death when it appeared Otago had the game won before electing to spin the ball wide and then turn it over.
Lentjes had every reason to be frustrated. With his side ahead 22-13 with 10 minutes left, Otago should have been good enough to win.
There was more drama when Waikato blew a regal opportunity to celebrate Liam Messam’s 100th game for the province by beating Hawke’s Bay when the teams went into extra-time in Hamilton in the next fixture on Saturday.
The game, eventually ended in a 32-32 draw. But not before the paying spectators got real value for money.
All Black Damian Mckenzie, who isn’t eligible for the national side under NZ Rugby’s ‘‘return to play criteria’’ because he skipped
Super Rugby Pacific to play in Japan, must be tempted to do extra work on his goal kicking before Waikato meet Northland in the second round.
Mckenzie missed a penalty shortly before fulltime, and another in extra-time. He also sprayed a drop goal attempt, which surely wasn’t intimidating for a player of his calibre.
Waikato, who won the premiership last year under coach Ross Filipo, led 24-20 at halftime. A couple of men with experience of playing for the All Blacks, Brad Weber and Luke Jacobson, were also involved in an incident in the second half.
Jacobson was yellow carded for a professional foul when he slapped the ball out of Weber’s mitts, and Hawke’s Bay captain Tom Parsons scored a vital try soon after.
Meanwhile, Auckland denied North Harbour a bonus point when they piled on the points in the third quarter to eventually win 36-26 at Eden Park in Auckland.
Harbour were up 26-15 soon after halftime before everything fell to pieces. They conceded three tries, starting with a penalty try because Harbour prop Nic Mayhew was yellow carded for illegally collapsing a maul on his tryline.
On Friday night, Canterbury pummelled Manawatu¯ 62-15 in Palmerston North.
Canterbury, who were stacked with Super Rugby players, rattled on nine tries as their forward pack delivered a magic carpet ride for their backs.
It was a tough way for Manawatu¯ to start their season, although they at least had the final say after Drew Wild scored the final try of the evening in the 80th minute.