BUSTING OUT: Loosie Hugh Renton has centre Jonah Lowe and Fa'alemiga Selesele in support during this burst. PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN
A shocking finale to a poor season.
There's no other way to describe the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team's 26-24 loss to the Bay of Plenty Steamers in their final Mitre 10 Cup outing of the season at Napier's McLean Park on Saturday night. It left the Magpies with a two-win, eight-loss record which was worse than the three-win, seven-loss record when they were last relegated from the Premiership in 2012.
Magpies head coach Craig Philpott, who will be back in charge again next year, has promised a thorough review, one which is unlikely to be completed until the middle of next month. Even with the team's lengthy injury list which had the likes of Gareth Evans, Michael Allardice and Brendon Edmonds on it before the season began, more was expected from the Magpies in 2016 - particularly when Philpott and captain Ash Dixon predicted a semifinal finish at the season launch.
The best form of redemption will be another Championship title next year and a successful Ranfurly Shield challenge should they get the opportunity. Once again a disgraceful missed tackle count, 26, let the Magpies down and so did the 16-4 penalty count in the visitors' favour dished out by Taranaki referee Paul Williams.
As is so often the case when teams are struggling, the Magpies didn't have the best of deals from Williams. There were some suspect calls at scrum time, including one which led to a penalty try in the 72nd minute to the Steamers. With first five-eighth Dan Hollinshead adding the conversion this gave the visitors a 26-10 lead which proved to be the turning point.
The Magpies were lucky to be ahead 10-7 at halftime as the Steamers turned down at least three kickable penalties while focused on their quest for five competition points so they could secure a semifinal berth. This goal was ticked off.
While the Magpies finished strong with their best player, centre Jonah Lowe, scoring two tries during the final five minutes of his blazer game the damage had already been done. With an average gain of 11m from eight carries, seven tackles and three line breaks Lowe, in this punter's eyes, snuck ahead in the tussle for the team's back of the year award.
Lowe must also be a hot candidate to become a new Super player. His second five-eighth Tiaan Falcon was also error-free on defence and enhanced his chances of collecting the rookie of the year award with nine tackles and his ability to set up scoring opportunities.
Starting captain and favourite for the player of the year award, lock Mark Abbott, had an average gain of 5.6m from 10 carries and made 15 tackles. Flanker Tony Lamborn also made 15 tackles but finished with five misses.
Lamborn was one of several victims as the Steamers regularly beat the Magpies on the inside during the first half. Philpott had every right to be proud of the scrummaging promising tighthead prop Mason Kean produced.
Lowe was pipped for player-of-the-match honours by Steamers No 8 Joe Tupe who was inspirational for the winners with 16 carries and 11 tackles.
Until he was sinbinned for a leg trip, flanker Henry Stowers was also prominent for the visitors with 15 carries and 10 tackles. Experienced halfback Ruki Tipuna impressed with his impact off the bench.
"We had it over them with our attack in the first half but then gave away too much ball to capitalise," Abbott said afterwards.
"It's been a frustrating season with the same stuff week in and week out. There's a lot of talent in the team who will be better for the experience next year. We were not up to standard this year," he added.
Steamers captain and lock Culum Retallick agreed his troops didn't get the appropriate reward for their first half endeavour but things came right in the second half. While Steamers coach Clayton McMillan didn't consider the victory an appropriate form of revenge for two close losses last year at McLean Park, he was proud of his troops.
He wasn't concerned about their lack of reward for their first-half dominance.
"Considering the amount of possession and territory we had we would have liked to put more points on. At halftime I saw how disappointed the boys were but at the same time they felt they weren't far away from cracking them. We got some reward during the next 10 minutes of the second half."
Match highlights:
Heartstopper: Magpies prop Tolu Fahamokioa being penalised for crawling with the ball in the 24th minute when he wasn't held. One of several suspect calls from Taranaki ref Paul Williams as the hosts ended up on the wrong end of a 16-4 penalty count.
Turning point: The dubious 72nd minute penalty try awarded to the Steamers after a scrum infringement from the Magpies. When Dan Hollinshead added the conversion the visitors had a 26-10 lead. Too big a deficit for the Magpies to haul in.
Player of the match: Steamers No 8 Joe Tupe wih a workrate which included 16 tackles and 11 carries. Only just ahead of Magpies centre Jonah Lowe.
Scorers: Bay of Plenty 26 (Te Aihe Toma, Lalakai Foketi, Solomona Sakalia, penalty try tries; Dan Hollinshead 3 cons), Hawke's Bay 24 (Jonah Lowe 2, Brad Weber tries; Ihaia West pen, 3 cons). HT: HB 10-7.