Waikato closer to promotion
Waikato can bounce straight back from last year’s relegation at the first attempt after fighting back to overcome Northland and advance to Friday’s Championship final in the Mitre 10 Cup.
The Mooloos responded from losing the Ranfurly Shield last weekend to Otago by winning 48-26 in Saturday’s semifinal in Hamilton as Northland’s season came to an end.
After his court appearance earlier this month, Sevu Reece let his rugby do the talking again by moving top of the competition’s try-scoring charts, on 12, with four tries at FMG Stadium Waikato as the Mooloos ran in 38 unanswered points after trailing for most of the first half.
Waikato, who were relegated from the Premiership last year, will host the Championship decider next week against Otago when Jono Gibbes aims to finish his one season as coach on a high by sending the Mooloos back to the top division before he departs for La Rochelle in France.
The Taniwha were far better after conceding 11 tries during a humbling 71-28 loss to Waikato in Whangarei just two weeks ago, while the Mooloos were initially flat in their first taste of semifinal action since losing the Premiership final to Canterbury in 2011.
But Waikato, who were top seeds after finishing top of the Championship standings after 10 games, would gain the ascendancy and clinically take their opportunities to prevail by six tries to four against fourth seeds Northland, who stumbled into the semifinals somewhat on the back of that heavy defeat to the Mooloos and another loss last weekend against Bay of Plenty.
Northland began brightly during an often scrappy first half that Waikato dominated in terms of possession and territory, but the Taniwha stunned the Mooloos with three excellent tries as Australian first-five Jack Debreczeni orchestrated some neat attacking plays.
The Taniwha would finish the half with 14 men and Waikato would score three times while halfback Sam Nock was sinbinned, with Reece’s try on half-time tying the scores at 21-21 following a topsy-turvy opening 40 minutes.
Reece was returning following last week’s suspension in Waikato’s defeat to Otago and the Mooloos winger was back in form when superbly taking a further three tries after the break.
Nock returned to the fray after Waikato had taken full advantage of having that extra man, running in three converted tries, before gaining some composure and pulling clear of the Taniwha, who eventually ran out of the steam despite some further late resistance.
Debreczeni penetrated Waikato’s line early and Nock scored under the posts as Northland started positively, but the strengths of the Mooloos – their scrum and set piece – would lead to Samisoni Taukei’aho’s typical try – his ninth of the season – on the back of a powerful rolling maul.
The Taniwha moved ahead again when Scott Gregory finished off a scintillating attack – instigated from their own half by Rene Ranger before a delightful final pass from Matty Wright, who then scored their third try from another well executed move.
Nock’s yellow card for cynically slowing down Waikato near Northland’s line led to Jack Stratton hitting back for the hosts, who were level when Reece scored right on half-time despite the hint of a forward pass.
Reece ran in three more as Waikato moved clear in the second half – either side of Fletcher Smith’s first penalty – before Jono Kitto’s try for Northland restored some hope in the final quarter after Mooloos lock James Tucker was sinbinned.
Smith added another penalty as Waikato moved out of sight despite finishing with 14 men after Mitch Jacobson’s late yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Gregory.