Delany all class as BOP steam into final
BAY of Plenty will face Wellington in the Mitre 10 Cup Championship final after beating Otago 48-32 in yesterday’s semifinal in Tauranga.
The Steamers were more clinical, and there were doubles for Joe Webber and Lalakai Foketi, as Otago made too many errors and lacked punch in attack minus star winger Jona Nareki.
The introduction of Vilomoni Koroi off the bench looked to have sparked an Otago fightback after the hosts led 34-18 after an hour.
But the hosts finished strongly at Tauranga Domain thanks to the control of new Crusaders first five-eighth Mike Delany, whose kicking game was on point in swirling winds.
Bay of Plenty gained revenge for last year’s semi-final between the two provinces which Otago won 27-20 in Dunedin to reach the final – when they lost 17-14 to North Harbour who gained promotion to the premiership at their expense.
The Steamers had crucially beaten Otago in the regular season, and Waikato last weekend, to finish second behind runaway leaders Wellington to secure a home semi-final. Bay of Plenty started on the front foot during an even opening 40 where the TMO was needed three times, and made two questionable calls in awarding two tries – one for each side – before the hosts finished the half with a brilliant try scored by Foketi.
Otago took advantage of Hugh Blake’s early second half sinbinning when Sione Teu crashed over but Bay of Plenty, with 14 men, hit back after the visitors made another error from the restart. Webber scored his second with a fabulous finish down the left edge to restore Bay of Plenty’s 11-point lead, which was extended when Henry Stowers crashed over from an unstoppable rolling maul.
Then Terrence Hepetema’s try – in between two Otago tries to Koroi and Teihorangi Walden in GETTY IMAGES the final quarter – was the final nail in Otago’s coffin
Josh Ioane and Delany had traded early penalties before Webber put Bay of Plenty 8-3 in front with a dubious try in the left corner – awarded by the TMO.
The Steamers were slicing through Otago’s line, dominating at scrum time, and the visitors were failing to hold the ball.
And a loose Matt Faddes pass was pounced on by Foketi and Bay of Plenty were 12 ahead after 24 minutes.
Otago then got the luck they needed when Jonathan Ruru fumbled from a ruck before Sam Anderson-Heather dived over, but the TMO adjudged that Otago’s halfback hadn’t lost full control and the try stood.
Ioane’s second penalty, before his game was over because of a head knock, reduced Bay of Plenty’s lead but Foketi, who scored twice last Saturday against Waikato, doubled up again it to put the Steamers 22-11 ahead at half-time.