McKenzie misses three chances, Hohepa shows how to drop Otago
ALL Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie won’t forget his return to provincial rugby in a hurry after he missed three chances to seal victory for Waikato in a wild 32-32 draw with Hawke’s Bay in Hamilton yesterday.
On Liam Messam’s 100th game for the province, McKenzie missed a penalty with three minutes remaining as an end-toend match at Waikato Stadium went to golden-point extra time.
The 27-year-old then had another chance to secure a hardfought win for the defending champions in extra time when a Hawke’s Bay player was penalised for not rolling away as the Mooloos pushed for a matchwinning try.
But once again a rusty McKenzie got his angles all wrong and sent his attempt wide of the upright, before squandering a presentable drop goal opportunity moments later as the Magpies clung on.
McKenzie did make a trysaving tackle on Caleb Makene a few minutes earlier to ensure that Waikato avoided defeat in their season opener, but will no doubt rue his inaccuracy off the tee, going 5 from 8.
Despite trailing 10-0 after only nine minutes thanks to an Isaia Walker-Leawere try and a Makene penalty, Waikato fought back with three tries of their own to lead 24-20 at the break. COUNTIES MANUKAU V OTAGO
A drop goal from Riley Hohepa right at the death gave Counties Manukau a dramatic 23-22 win over Otago in a thrilling NPC encounter at Pukekohe.
The Steelers largely dominated the opening period and deservedly led 10-7 at the break thanks to a converted Zuriel Togiatama try and a Hohepa penalty.
But they were made to pay for their wastefulness when the southerners came out firing in the second half and swiftly turned the game on its head through a Josh Ioane penalty and two quickfire tries from returning wing Jona Nareki.
Leading 22-13 with 10 minutes to play, Otago looked poised to take the points back to Dunedin, until replacement fullback and debutant Esau Filimoehala collected a floated Hohepa pass out wide, sidestepped a couple of challenges to drive over and set up a grandstand finish.
And then the man-of-themoment capped off a fine individual display with a drop goal in the dying seconds.
AUCKLAND V NORTH HARBOUR
A three-try burst in seven minutes early in the second half sealed a come-from-behind 36-26 win for Auckland over North Harbour at Eden Park last night.
Harbour led 21-15 at halftime and extended to 26-15 with a superb try to wing Mark Telea.
But when Harbour prop Nic Mayhew was sinbinned, not only did he concede a penalty try but the hosts followed with two tries in quick succession.