Wright stars in S Canty victory
Rookie wing Braydon Ennor moved to the top of the try-scoring leaderboard in the 22nd minute, when he picked off a Sam Christie pass and raced 60m to score under the posts.
It was his eighth try of the season, although McKay pulled to within two of him when he ran on to Mo’unga’s kick and bolted 40m to the line a little later.
Midfielder Rob Thompson, who finished off an Ennor break down the left, and standout flanker Tom Sanders also touched down for the home side.
As good as Mo’unga was – he was perfect from the tee (17 points) and his in-play kicking was top-notch – he won’t want to see a replay of his missed tackle just before halftime.
Waikato centre Pita Akhi brushed him off to score the visitors’ sole first-half try in the 39th minute, some deserved reward for the battling side.
They enjoyed lengthy patches of possession in a low-scoring second half, and outscored Canterbury 12-7 courtesy of two tries to wing Sevu Reece.
Waikato had their own injury problems, with Christie (leg) and lock Jacob Skeen (head) both forced from the field. A star turn by halfback Willie Wright against West Coast saw South Canterbury retain their lead in the Heartland Championship.
Wright scored a hat-trick of tries and landed seven of seven shots at goal in their 45-38 win.
His personal haul of 30 points in a Heartland game was also a record for South Canterbury.
Wing Kalavini Leatigaga grabbed two tries to take his tally to seven for the season, just one behind Wanganui’s Timocia Seruwalu, and equal with Mid Canterbury’s Maleli Sau.
It was a rollercoaster ride in Greymouth with West Coast in front at halftime, before South Canterbury shot to the lead and then had to hang on at the death.
For West Coast, locks Joshua Manning and Isei Lewaqi had strong games and dominated the lineouts. Fullback Nick Cumming also impressed in general play and with the boot, as he never missed a shot either, while firstfive Tom Reekie looks a player who could attain higher honours.
The result means South Canterbury have a four-point buffer over Buller on the table but Horowhenua Kapiti are still to play so are likely to steal back second spot.
King Country felt Wanganui’s wrath after the defending champions had dropped their previous two games. Wanganui steeped up a gear to thrash the Rams 80-3, running in 13 tries, with Cameron Crowley, Timoci Serwalu, Cody Hemi and Jona Sawailau all grabbing a brace each.
Mid Canterbury made their trip to Paeroa worthwhile with a 25-17 win over Thames Valley.
The Hammers, however, missed a four-try bonus point which could haunt them later on, such is the closeness of the championship.
Buller also secured an away win but theirs was far more comfortable, getting past wooden spooners East Coast 54-17 in Ruatoria.
Buller’s midfield of Petaia Saukuru and Mike Lealavaa were superb while blindside flanker Blair McIlroy got through heap of tackles in defence.
In Oamaru, North Otago climbed back into top four contention with a 34-12 win over Poverty Bay.