Cantabs tip over Tasman

It was a marginal decision, but typical of a match in which the 50-50s tended to go Auckland’s way. Even so, Wellington ought to have done better from the position they were in.

‘‘Are you fishing for that yellow card?,’’ Kafatolu said this week, when asked how that game got away from the Lions.

‘‘Nah, we just switched off defensively from a couple of turnovers and they went through gaps.’’

The 29-year-old Petone stalwart took that result quite badly. In just his second season of Mitre 10 Cup footy, Kafatolu continues to be one of Wellington’s shining lights and shouldn’t blame himself for that loss.

It’s just that, without him, the Lions suddenly rolled over and played dead.

‘‘We started well and kind of buttoned off defensively and they got up on us. We respect them, obviously, because they’re Auckland but we’re out there to get a win [this week],’’ he said.

Last week’s 34-10 victory over Taranaki was encouraging in that respect. The Lions were ruthless in the second spell, rarely letting Taranaki out of their half en route to winning those 40 minutes 22-0.

‘‘Clinical was the key word for us the last two weeks after the Auckland loss. We’re just focused on being clinical and making the right decisions,’’ Kafatolu said.

It’s been easy to look at Lions ball-runners this season such as Vaea Fifita, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, James Blackwell, Isaia WalkerLeawere, Matt and Billy Proctor,

Mitre 10 Cup Premiership semifinal.

Eden Park, Auckland. 5.05pm today.

Wes Goosen, Ben Lam, Matt Proctor, Billy Proctor, Malo Tuitama, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Teariki BenNicholas, Mateaki Kafatolu, James Blackwell, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Sam Lousi, Jeff To’omaga-Allen, Asafo Aumua, Sitiveni Paongo. Reserves: Dane Coles, Tolu Fahamokioa, Joel Hintz, Galu Taufale, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Carlos Price, Losi Filipo, Trent Renata.

‘‘Clinical was the key word for us the last two weeks after the Auckland loss.’’ Mateaki Kafatolu

What:

Where: When: Wellington:

Auckland:

Jordan Trainor, Melani Nanai, Tumua Manu, TJ Faiane (capt), Salesi Rayasi, Harry Plummer, Jonathan Ruru; Akira Ioane, Adrian Choat, Evan Olmstead, Michael Fatialofa, Fa’atiga Lemalu, Marcel Renata, Robbie Abel, Sam Prattley. Reserves: Mike Sosene-Feagai, Jarred Adams, Marco Fepulea’I, Taleni Seu, Hoskins Sotutu, Desma Liaina, Jacob Umaga, Caleb Clarke.

Malo Tuitama, Wes Goosen and Ben Lam and assume that’s where their strength lies.

But they’re actually at their best when Kafatolu and company are punishing the opposition on defence.

‘‘CJ [defence coach Cory Jane] has just brought a different mindset this year and it’s about getting up hard and all trusting in each other, inside and outside,’’ Kafatolu said.

Fifita won’t be on deck at Eden Park today, having headed to Japan for next week’s Bledisloe Cup test. But reserve hooker Dane Coles, who’s expected to play significant minutes off the bench, and fellow All Blacks tourists Asafo Aumua and Matt Proctor are all available for the Lions.

Coles flies out to join the main All Blacks’ party tomorrow, with Aumua and Proctor part of the 19-strong contingent going over for the Japan test the following week. Canterbury’s dynasty remains alive and kicking – just.

The red and blacks edged Tasman 21-16 in a thrilling semifinal in Nelson last night, advancing to next weekend’s Mitre 10 Cup final against either Auckland or Wellington.

Captain and halfback Mitchell Drummond, via a smart kick and chase, scored the match-winning try four minutes from time, with Tasman fullback Will Jordan in the bin for a deliberate knock-on.

Just who Canterbury play next week won’t be known until about 7pm tonight, but it would take a brave soul to bet against them snaring a fourth consecutive title, and 10th in the past 11 years.

Having ended neighbour Tasman’s dreams of a maiden national provincial title, Canterbury will now no doubt sit back and root for Wellington to topple the top-seeded Aucklanders in the other semifinal, ensuring the decider will be played in Christchurch.

In what was Tasman coach Leon MacDonald’s last game before he takes up an assistant coaching gig at the Blues, Canterbury fought back from 13-6 down at the break.

With 19 Crusaders across both teams, they quickly reduced the deficit to four points, after Brett Cameron banged over his third penalty of the night a couple of minutes after play resumed.

Tasman first-five Mitch Hunt responded with a penalty of his own shortly afterwards to re-establish the seven-point buffer, before a yellow card to No 8 Mike Curry opened the door for the visitors.

Curry was binned for dragging down a rolling maul, forcing the Mako to get by with 14 men against a team which was starting to smell blood.

Tasman defended stoutly, almost surviving a relentless barrage on their line, with flanker Ethan Blackadder tackling himself to a standstill.

However, Canterbury finally crossed through captain Mitch Drummond in the 65th minute, when he darted down the short side from a dominant scrum.

Replays showed Canterbury flanker Reed Prinsep held Blackadder, denying him the chance to make a scrambling tackle.