Mooloo Men get back on track
WAIKATO’S NPC campaign is back on track after a gutsy win over North Harbour last night.
Following consecutive heavy home defeats, the Mooloo men were desperately seeking a victory to keep themselves from drifting right off the pace in the premiership division.
A much improved defensive line, some smart, structured attack, an enhanced scrum and a much improved lineout saw Waikato prevail 22-16 on a wet night at QBE Stadium on the North Shore.
There was just one try apiece in the greasy conditions, with the goalkickers having an important say in proceedings – Waikato’s Damian McKenzie landing six from seven and Harbour’s Matt McGahan four from six.
Harbour have finished last in the championship division the past two years, and just one place higher the year before and don’t look like improving on that record, with this their third straight defeat for the season.
Their roster looks good, but they just haven’t clicked yet, and that was fortunate for Waikato, who went in low on confidence and having played on the Wednesday, while Harbour hadn’t taken the field since the previous Thursday.
The visitors, led by a strong performance from hooker Hame Faiva, and some nice touches by McKenzie, defended their line stoutly late in the piece, with Harbour threatening to steal the game late.
They were held up over the line in the 69th minute, then three minutes later Waikato prop Ben Tameifuna was sin- binned for playing the ball on the ground. Nudging referee Glen Jackson to the ground just prior would have done him few favours. Waikato: (Ben Tameifuna tries; Damian McKenzie con, 5 pen). North Harbour: (David Raikuna tries; Matt McGahan con, 3 pen). Ht: 19-10.
Harbour continued to pressure but eventually spun it wide and Mario Ozich knocked on, which allowed Waikato to breathe a sigh of relief.
Harbour had started the better of the sides, opening the scoring in the ninth minute when Waikato fullback Albert Nikoro couldn’t tidy up a kick through; McGahan then put boot to ball, before being shoved out of the way by Joe Web- ber, only force the anyway.
Waikato eventually warmed to their task, with their structure on attack building, while Harbour were forced to make an early change with No 8 Jim Tuivaiti assisted off the field in the 24th minute.
The hosts’ defence constantly crept over the offside line, and for David Raikuna to ball ahead of Webber McKenzie nailed four penalties to put his side in control before their dominance was further rewarded two minutes before the break, with big Tameifuna powering his way over the line from a couple of metres out.
The visitors’ 19-10 halftime lead was eaten into by two McGahan penalties, but Harbour lost Tuivaiti’s replacement Brandon Nansen after he failed a concus- sion test. Then, when a quick throw- in went awry and centre Pita Ahki skewed the clearance – having otherwise been very impressive – his team-mates were caught offside and McKenzie made it 22-16.
All Blacks halfback Tawera KerrBarlow was brought on for the last 25 minutes and produced a solid showing as he continues to eye time at test level. SHANE CHRISTIE’S post-match interview was telling. Tasman had just thumped Bay of Plenty 56-27, yet the captain was struggling for positives.
He lamented errors and criticised his side’s inability to carry out the game plan. Therein lies an example of Tasman’s expectations this season – and the challenge before Auckland today.
In previous years, this would be considered a gimme for a province of Auckland’s stature. Not so now. Punters may be taken back to realise Tasman should at least make the top four of the Premiership this year. After two bonus-point wins which featured frequent flair and counterattacking brilliance, they’ve done nothing to quell the hype. For now it seems they more than belong with the big boys following promotion. Hard to believe that five years ago they were one of four unions threatened with being axed from the competition. Canterbury are clearly a class above the chasing pack, but their Crusader companions look as likely as anyone to derail their bid for a seventh straight crown. Sure, it’s early days. Already, though, Tasman has the competition on notice. The men from Nelson and Blenheim know this is their chance to shake up the established core.
‘‘I knew from the start, when I saw the teams on paper, Tasman would be one of the contenders,’’ Auckland coach Paul Feeney said: ‘‘They are very well coached. Last year what Kieran Keane got out of them was fantastic. They realise this is a big opportunity for them this season.
‘‘When you think Tasman, you think small province, but almost their whole backline has been involved in Super Rugby. They’ve got a wealth of experience and guys who bust open games.’’
Indeed, Christie and Liam Squire are two dynamic loose forwards; sevens star Bryce Heem, Kieron Fonotia, James Lowe, Tom Marshall and Marty Banks form a lethal backline.
Feeney has his own gamebreakers in Gareth Anscombe and Ben Lam, but with rain expected, the return of All Blacks Charlie Faumuina and Steven Luatua up front is a major boost, as is the retention of fullback Charles Piutau. ‘‘They know our boys well,’’ said Feeney. ‘‘From a confidence point of view it’s great to have them back.’’
After an embarrassing openinground thrashing from Canterbury, Feeney’s men responded by putting away Manawatu last week.
Back on Eden Park, where they are unbeaten over the last two years in 10 matches, and have claimed 48 of 50 possible competition points, they realise the need for further improvement.
‘‘When you get beaten 48-9 you’re hurting,’’ Feeney said. ‘‘We’re a proud province. We went away and we improved in a few areas and we got five points. We need to win this game to get our season on track. Dropping two out of the first three games would not be a good start.
‘‘We love playing on Eden Park. It’s our backyard. The boys can’t wait to get out there for our first home game.’’