Holders Bay repel brave Sth Canty bid
The almost half-century long Ranfurly Shield drought for Heartland Unions drags on.
Hawke’s Bay beat South Canterbury 38-20 in Napier last night, rebuffing what was an even more testing challenge than the final score indicated.
However, crippled by a faltering scrum, the last Heartland side to hold the Shield (1974) was ultimately outclassed at McLean Park.
On a night the Magpies were without a host of their big guns, their six tries to three win was their 10th successful defence of their sixth tenure, which kicked off in October 2020.
But it certainly wasn’t a stressfree 80 minutes in the coaching box for new coach Josh Syms, who was made to watch his team soak up ample pressure from last year’s Heartland champions.
Indeed, the Timaru-based green-and-blacks came out swinging with the expansive game they lit up the Heartland Championship with last year, causing more than a few anxious moments for the hosts.
South Canterbury led 8-7 after
16 minutes, when prop Vaka Taelega smashed over to finish off a superb break by wing Kalavini Leatigaga.
The travelling fans drowned out the small smattering of Hawke’s Bay fans as they dared to believe it might be their night.
They were treated to two fabulous late tries, but it was not to be.
Hawke’s Bay, having turned to their dominant scrum to knock back their opponents, rebuffed a 16-phase assault inside their 22, and survived another raid on their line, before halfback Connor McLeod and centre Kienan Higgins tries turned the game.
Outstanding fullback Caleb Makene punished a loose pass to
score a superb counter-attacking try after the hooter and the hosts were on their way.
Inspired by captain Nick Strachan becoming the 14th South Canterbury centurion, the visitors threatened to close the 24-8 halftime deficit with a series of sustained raids early in the second spell, but they could not crack the Magpies’ line again until midfielder Paulta Fifita scored in the 73rd minute, and Waimate halfback Theo Davidson dived over after the final hooter.
They were well-earned consolation tries, after Lincoln McClutchie, fresh from his maiden season of Super Rugby with Moana Pasifika, set up McLeod’s second try, and wing Paoraian Manuel-Harman waltzed over the line to put the game out of reach.