Lions survive scare as Bay throw it away
Wellington have set up a home NPC semifinal against Auckland after once again piling the misery on Hawke’s Bay.
Just three weeks ago the Lions had been the Magpies’ nemesis when ending their lengthy Ranfurly Shield tenure, and the visitors to the capital yesterday were intent on some revenge in their quarterfinal.
However, a sluggish start proved costly for Hawke’s Bay, who, despite a strong fightback, fell to a 28-21 defeat, and will have to wait at least another year for a maiden first division crown.
Wellington have just forgotten how to lose, this latest victory their eighth on the bounce as they eye a first top-tier crown in 22 years.
But they had themselves one heck of a fright, having roared to a 15-0 lead after just 11 minutes, taken an 18-0 advantage to the sheds (despite losing wing Julian Savea to a knock), but then finding themselves down 21-18 with seven minutes to play after seemingly going to sleep.
The Magpies finally opened their account in the 53rd minute when Chase Tiatia offloaded and sent Danny Toala away, the second-five then nicely cutting Brad Weber back inside to score.
And after Lincoln McClutchie charged to the line after his side
finally put some phases together and remained patient they were right back in it.
A smart kick downfield burst from standout flanker Marino Mikaele-Tu’u then paved the way for Josh Kaifa to burrow over after strong Wellington goal-line defence eventually broke, and to the shock of everyone, the Lions found themselves behind on the board.
Cue calm heads, though, and after managing to regather the restart, the hosts quickly worked their way into position in front of the sticks, and with a penalty advantage in their pockets, the ball was flung wide as reserve halfback Richard Judd dived over in the 76th minute to restore the Lions lead.
When Jackson Garden-Bachop goaled from 50 metres in the 80th the lead was seven, but Hawke’s Bay gave things a strong last crack, only for Kianu KereruSymes’ close-range lineout throw to Bryn Evans being not straight, to end hopes of a miracle.
MVP
Wellington first-five Jackson Garden-Bachop. He had been the architect of the fast start and under penalty advantage he slotted a drop goal for good measure, then crucially nailed the 50m penalty at the end.
The big moment
Richard Judd’s 76th minute try. Wellington had gone tryless for 65 minutes after their surging start, and then desperately needed a hit-back late in the piece. The ball
came to a flying Billy Proctor and after he was pulled down close to the line, the reserve halfback spotted the chalk and did the rest.
Match rating: 6/10
The conditions couldn’t have been better, but both dropped balls and threw wayward passes. It was also one-way traffic until Hawke’s Bay’s late charge which upped the ante big time.
The big picture
Wellington now host Auckland in a semifinal on Friday night, while it’s season over for the Bay.