Robbie Fruean scored a crucial try to help Hawkes Bay past Southland. Photo / Getty
Robbie Fruean scored a crucial try to help Hawkes Bay past Southland. Photo / Getty
Southland 28 Hawke's Bay 35
Hawke's Bay overcame a strong Southland side and an even sturdier Invercargill wind to win a wild match and clinch a home semifinal in the ITM Cup.
With the stiff breeze blowing straight into their faces in the second spell at Rugby Park - causing clearingkicks to almost travel backwards - Hawkes Bay scored three tries to overhaul a halftime deficit and claim a bonus-point victory.
The triumph left the Magpies alone atop the Championship standings and meant another win over Waikato next weekend would seal home advantage throughout the playoffs and lock away the Ranfurly Shield for another summer.
With an eye on that clash, Hawke's Bay opted to rest several frontline players from their starting XV, falling into an 18-13 halftime hole. But the reinforcements arrived after the break and, despite the inclement conditions, the visitors battled back to record an incredibly impressive victory.
That eventuality looked a long way off as Hawke's Bay struggled to assert themselves in the opening half. With the wind on their side, the Magpies enjoyed the best of field position but continued to cede possession to the Stags, with errors in open play and at lineout time proving their undoing.
Willis Halaholo grabbed the game's first try, exploiting deficiencies in the Hawkes Bay defence, before Guy Millar dotted down to put the home side in complete control. But a crucial try on the stroke of halftime from Robbie Fruean pulled the Magpies within five heading into halftime and, when Mason Emerson crossed after the break, the Bay were soon in front.
The double strike owed some to poor spot tackling from Southland but Hawke's Bay looked a different side while playing into the elements, a feeling that was only enhanced when the calvary came off the bench.
Two tries in 10 minutes from Ryan Tongia secured the bonus point and, despite the wind causing complete havoc with Ihaia West's clearing kicks, the Magpies were able to hang on.
