Auckland 11
Bay of Plenty 6
When American band Kool and the Gang recorded their 1981 hit Get Down On It, they weren't thinking of rugby in the wet, but the song title was the perfect theme for Auckland's narrow win over Bay of Plenty in Mount Maunganui yesterday.
It was a case of getting down on the ball and securing possession as rain hosed down on a pitch that at times gave a decent impression of the 1975 Eden Park All Blacks vs Scotland 'water polo test'.
Auckland defended the John Drake Boot, the trophy presented last year in memory of the former All Black prop and gifted analyst who died in late 2008 and who had strong links with both regions.
Bay of Plenty have not beaten Auckland since taking the Ranfurly Shield for the first time in 2004.
With the rain proving such a leveller, one of Drake's old high-top boots would probably have proven useful for navigating the sodden turf. There was plenty of robust tackling but, with a reduced capacity to jink and sidestep, players presented easier targets. The upside was a softer splash landing.
The options of kicking for position and drilling for the corners played their part but it was more a battle of attrition in the forwards and the use of runners one or two passes off the ruck.
It would be unfair to single out players who dropped the ball. Most had their turn. In fact, every time it went through more than one set of hands, it was a bold gambit as both teams suffered cases of butterfingers.
Auckland's scrum was dominant at times, giving No 8 Peter Saili a solid platform to demonstrate his running skills off the back. He also put in some stout tackles and ran powerfully on the counter-attack.
Bay of Plenty had some wind assistance in the first half but could not capitalise fully. Auckland crossed first courtesy of right winger Atieli Pakalani who finished off the best sequence of the game in the second minute after several phases propelled the visitors out of their own half.
"It's so much easier on defence than attack in these conditions," said Auckland captain Daniel Braid. "To get that try through some counter-attack rugby early proved vital."
The sides traded penalties for the rest of the half, the best being a 40-metre strike in front of the posts by Auckland first five-eighths Matt Berquist, who was not daunted by the wind or the torrent of raindrops crashing down around him.
Bay of Plenty had some chances through strong periods of continuity in the Auckland 22 midway through the first half but could not take advantage with a try. They repeated the dose for sustained periods with 15 minutes to go but Auckland repelled their best efforts.
The closest the Bay got was when lock Culum Retallick was driven over by his forwards under the Auckland crossbar in the 68th minute.
Bay of Plenty captain Colin Bourke vented some frustration: "We prepared a plan once we knew it was going to rain, so it's disappointing to camp in their 22 quite often, then lose our discipline and head all the way back into ours.
"Auckland pinned us back in both halves at times with and without the wind. I would commend my boys for sticking at it in the last 20 minutes."
Braid was conscious of preventing the Steamers from creating any spoiling tries from broken play.
"We managed to show enough spirit to stop them scoring when it got close at the end. A big part of our plan was to control possession and stop any easy turnovers that might let them counter-attack."
Prop Tevita Mailau bullocked across for what initially looked a try in the 59th minute but he was ruled held up. It followed some weaving from left wing Dave Thomas on the back of a fluent Auckland move which put the ball through half a dozen sets of hands. Mailau had a strong game in other facets too, notably in the scrum with propping partner Charlie Faumuina.
Auckland flanker Onosai'i Auva'a was shown a yellow card for persistent infringing in the closing minutes.
Auckland 11 (A. Pakalani try, M. Berquist 2 pens) Bay of Plenty 6 (P. Burleigh 2 pens). Halftime: 11-6.
