Rugby: Three Lungs saves the day for NOBM in semi

Pouvi Fatialofa boasts the nickname "Three Lungs."

It's a reflection of the Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist premier rugby loosie's ability to produce maximum workrates for entire games week after week. Fatialofa, a nephew of former Samoa prop and coach Peter Fatialofa, was at his maximum best yet again as NOBM upset Progressive Meats Havelock North 21-16 in their Tui Maddison Trophy semifinal at Anderson Park on Saturday.

His side trailed 16-3 at halftime but Fatialofa's defensive workrate and powerful carries inspired his side to a gutsy comeback. It was appropriate that with the score at 16-all Fatialofa should charge down a Havelock clearing kick and win the chase to the loose ball for the matchwinning try.

"On today's display it's hard to believe Three Lungs hates playing in the wet," NOBM coach Mike Warren said afterwards. Warren deserves praise for the manner in which he introduced experienced frontrowers Reece O'Leary and Eugene Gerrard off the subs bench during the second half. Warren knew the villagers didn't have the depth on the bench he had at his disposal.

"That's our first win out here in four years of trying," Warren said.

He played more than 150 premier games for Havelock and was a Maddison Trophy winner with the club in the late 1980s. Openside flanker Sean "Turbo" Watts was another to impress in the winning pack.

First five-eighth Regis Lespinas did well to land four of his five attempts at goal in the difficult conditions.

Considering Havelock played without 10 first stringers, eight of them Magpies, their performance particularly in the first half was admirable. Winger Matt Goodwin scored two cracker tries both set up by second five-eighth Levi Armstrong who played the entire game with a broken toe.

Prop Kelly Petrowski, hooker Matt Phillips and captain and No8 Zane Rangi battled effectively in the losing pack. Havelock coach Tom Blake predicted NOBM will lost their final against Tech as Tech will be too strong up front.

The loss wasn't the swansong he was after. After one Maddison Trophy winner's medal, last year, and four Nash Cup titles Blake is stepping down to focus on women's coaching at the club in both 15s and Sevens.

Tech 23 Taradale 12

Top qualifiers Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical were more dominant than this score suggests in their semifinal win at Whitmore Park.

"We had too little too late and never really challenged in the game. We didn't fire a shot in the first half," Carters Frame and Truss Taradale coach Blair Cross said.

"We had no continuity, no phase play and no momentum. Tech were a bit more physical at the breakdown and that's where the game was won," Cross added.

Club player-of-the-year, former New Zealand under-20s openside flanker Hugh Reed, was again inspirational for Tech. He joined No8 Levi Guildford and lock Darren Deeley as the best of the host forwards.

New Zealand under-20s halfback Sheridan Rangihuna again impressed with his distribution and succeeded with five of his seven attempts at goal, three penalties and two conversions, for a 13 point haul. Tech centre Asa Ene was a rock on defence.

Tech first five-eighth Tane McGuire and winger Zane Crook collected ankle and rib injuries respectively which may rule them out of the final.

Experienced campaigners, lock Reon Watts and loosie Andrew Gardner, were tireless workers in the Taradale pack. Considering his pack spent most of the game on the back foot Taradale halfback Karl Hewitt can be proud of his contribution.