Canterbury to face Northland in last 8
As Canterbury staggered their way to an unconvincing 27-21 victory over Otago in Dunedin on Saturday night, you had to ask one question.
Is this side good enough to win the NPC? Because if Canterbury are to win this competition – they must beat Northland in their Evens conference quarterfinal in Christchurch on Saturday to remain in the title hunt – they might want to continue their preparations with a few pointed questions.
Despite having qualified for the playoffs before they arrived at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Canterbury almost fell off a cliff inside the enclosed arena.
Had No8 and captain Billy Harmon not earned the visitors a breakdown penalty at the death, as Otago mounted another attack inside their red zone in an attempt to keep their season alive, his side could have suffered an embarrassing defeat.
Yet, somehow, Canterbury survived. Regardless of what unfolded during the frantic and unpredictable spectacle – Josh Ioane’s long-range drop goal attempt, which smacked into a surprised team-mate, was proof – it would surely be reckless to believe Canterbury, the only team to suffer just one defeat this year, won’t be a menace in the sudden-death phase.
Because that scare against Otago was a reminder to them of how destructive complacency can be at the sharp end of the season.
Northland ensured they could delay their Mad Monday postseason party by beating a tenacious Manawatū 41-24 in a pulsating encounter at the picturesque Kaikohe ground yesterday.
The win ensured the Taniwha bounced over Tasman into fourth place in the conference, the latter having stumbled at the final hurdle after losing 25-17 to Hawke’s Bay on a wet and miserable evening in Napier on Friday night.
One of the big talking points during Auckland’s comeback 38-24 win over Taranaki at Eden Park on Saturday was the sight of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in the No14 jersey – not the No12 one he was originally listed to play in.
This made everyone sit up in their seats. Given the former NRL star’s lack of game time for the All Blacks, just two brief appearances off the bench in the midfield, it seems he may now be asked to stretch his legs on the wing.
That could, potentially, be a win-win for all parties if TuivasaSheck is given starting opportunities on the All Blacks’ tour of the northern hemisphere later this month.
It’s clear Tuivasa-Sheck remains determined to lock down a spot in the All Blacks’ World Cup squad.
First, though, he needs to bolster his confidence and keep blotting up every iota of knowledge in the 15-man game, and should be an automatic starter for when Auckland play North Harbour in their Evens quarterfinal.
Auckland were given a decent fright by Taranaki, too. The men from the Naki led 17-3 at halftime before the blue and whites finally picked-up their act. The arrival of All Blacks prop Angus Ta’avao in the second spell was a major plus for the home side’s scrum.
Meanwhile, Wellington confirmed their place at the top of the Odds conference with a bonuspoint 64-31 win over Counties
HT:
Auckland 38 (Terrell Peita 2, AJ Lam 2, Angus Ta’avao, tries; Harry Plummer 4 con, pen, Simon Hickey con) Taranaki 24 (Daniel Rona, Ricky Riccitelli, Kini Naholo tries; Stephen Perofeta 3 con, pen). HT: 3-17.
Canterbury 27 (Luke Romano, Braydon Ennor, Fergus Burke, Manasa Mataele tries; Burke pen, con, Chay Fihaki con) Otago 21 (James Lentjes, Josh Timu, Kieran McClea tries; Cam Millar 3 con). HT: 12-14.
Northland 41 (Rob Rush, Jone Macilai-Tori, Matt Moulds, Rivez Reihana, Josh Moorby, Matt Matich tries; Reihana 3 con, Dan Hawins con, pen) Manawatu¯ 24 ( Logan Henry 2, Tima Fainga’anuku, Josh Taula tries; Sam Clark con, Drew Wild con). HT: 19-5.
Wellington 64 (Asafo Aumua 4, Riley Higgins, Connor Garden-Bachop, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Ruben Love, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Billy Proctor tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 6 con, Richard Judd con) CountiesManukau 31 (Ioane Moananu 2, Samuel Slade, Peniasi Malimali, Kauvaka Kaivelata tries; Riley Hohepa 2 con, Cam Roigard con). HT: 38-7. Quarterfinals
Evens conference:
Odds conference:
Manukau in Pukekohe yesterday.
Hooker Asafo Aumua also reminded the All Blacks selectors of his power with the ball by bagging four tries.
Wellington will play fourthplaced Hawke’s Bay in the capital in their Odds quarterfinal.
Bay of Plenty and defending champions Waikato, who were slated to play the later game in Hamilton yesterday afternoon, will meet in the other Evens quarterfinal.