End of an era as Shield is lost
Hawke’s Bay’s third-longest Ranfurly Shield reign came to an end on Saturday night with a 19-12 loss to Wellington at McLean Park.
More than 8000 Magpies fans cheered their hearts out as their side came close at the end, but the Lions’ stifling defence saw Hawke’s Bay finish the match tryless for the first time in the 2022 Bunnings NPC.
Consecutive penalties conceded by Wellington gave Hawke’s Bay the first attacking possession of the game and they took the lead inside 10 minutes thanks to Lincoln McClutchie’s boot.
It was Lions skipper Du’Plessis Kirifi who was caught offside, but he redeemedhimself by forcing apenalty for holding on immediately from the kickoff.
First five-eighths Aidan Morgan kicked the goal to tie the game 3-3.
More breakdown ill-discipline from Wellington saw McClutchie restore the three-point lead with a penalty goal on the quarter-hour mark.
Magpies captain Tom Parsons was penalised for offside in his 100th firstclass game, allowing Morgan to level the scores once more.
Both teams had opportunities in each others’ red zones butwere halted by tenacious defence.
Ascrum penalty againstWellington allowed McClutchie to nudge Hawke’s Bay back in frontwith his third penalty goal just before halftime.
Magpies prop Joe ‘Apikotoa, playing against his former province, received a yellow card for a no-arms tackle on Lions hooker Asafo Aumua. Theresulting penalty let Morganmake it 9-9 at the break.
Wellington jumped straight out of the blocks scoring the game’s only try a minute into the second half.
Loose forward Peter Lakai opened up the Magpies’ defence with a pickand-go and sent TJ Perenara in to score.
‘Apikotoa returned from the sin bin with Wellington hot on attack but when Hawke’s Bay were penalised at the breakdown 10 metres short of the tryline, Morgan kicked his fourth penalty goal.
The game and the Ranfurly Shield looked to be slipping away from the Magpies before they won a scrum penalty on the hour mark and launched a lineout drive inside the 22 metre line.
But Lions lock Dominic Bird, a Hawke’s Bay native, forced a knock on and Wellington cleared their lines.
McClutchie prevented a certain Lions try when he booted the ball dead in-goal before Julian Savea could get his hands to it.
The former All Blacks winger was pinged for holding on with 10 minutes to play and McClutchie nailed the penalty goal to make it a one-score game.
Magpies centre Nick Grigg was penalised for not rolling away inside
Hawke’s Bay’s 22, but Morgan missed his first kick of the game with four minutes remaining.
Hawke’s Bay won a midfield penalty for holding on just before the hooter sounded so threw to an attacking lineout on the 22 metre line.
Perenara received a yellow card for cynically slowing the ball and they kicked to another 5m lineout.
But Wellington held tight to take the win and the Ranfurly Shield.