Waikato complete transformation with big victory
Jono Gibbes signed off in style as Waikato coach as the Mooloos pummelled Otago to bounce straight back to the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership.
Waikato won last night’s Championship final 36-13 in Hamilton, returning to the competition’s top division at the first attempt after last year’s relegation. For Gibbes, who next heads to France become La Rochelle’s director of to rugby, his one season in charge finished in perfect fashion as the Mooloos claimed their first provincial title since winning the Premiership in 2006.
Otago may have played their best game of the season two weeks ago when snatching the Ranfurly Shield from Waikato, and it seemed to show following their exhausting last-gasp semifinal win against Hawke’s Bay last Saturday.
The Mooloos were awfully bitter from that loss and they made Otago pay, dominating for long periods against the visitors, who weren’t at their best.
It wasn’t third time lucky for the blue-and-golds following defeats in the promotion match in 2012 and 2016 and Waikato will deservedly take Taranaki’s place in the Premiership next year.
Waikato’s season started slowly as their record losing streak dragged on, but Gibbes has inspired a revival and six successive bonus-point victories would confirm hosting rights for the decider.
The two provinces clashed in the old first division final, in 1992, when Waikato were first crowned national provincial champions on home turf and Otago would again taste defeat in Hamilton.
It’s a disappointing end to another Championship season for Otago, who finished second on the ladder, but winning the Shield will be some consolation.
Everything good about Waikato’s season was on display. Their forwards were excellent but the performances of exciting backs Quinn Tupaea and Sevu Reece, who finished the campaign with 14 tries from 11 matches, were especially eye-catching again.
Of course Hansen endorsed Cheika. So you would you, if you enjoyed the kind of winning record Hansen has in their head-to-head battles.