Rugby: Results need to fall Northland's way

Wing Jordan Hyland manages to get past his opposite, Ben Lam, during Northland's 36-18 loss to Wellington, leaving their immediate future up in the air. Photo/Photosport

Northland will be crossing their fingers in the hopes of making the Mitre 10 Cup Championship semi-finals after a tough 36-18 loss to Wellington.

The Taniwha are in the odd position of still being able to get a home semi-final but could just as easily miss out on the finals altogether.

Their fate rests in the hands of Championship trio Manawatu, Otago and Bay of Plenty.

If all three go down Northland could play a semi-final in front of their home faithful, but if they all pick up wins Northland would find themselves on the outer.

All three sides have winnable games - Manawatu face the struggling Hawke's Bay, Otago take on the winless Southland while Bay of Plenty have a derby match against relegation-threatened Waikato.

It would be a tough pill to swallow for Northland who have turned around a dismal two-year run with an exciting season where they have picked up five victories.

Their clash with championship leaders Wellington showed they could go toe to toe with the favourites but also how quickly things can go sour when they get a roll on.

Northland looked the better side in the first half, particularly early on when they forced multiple breakdown turnovers.

Wing Jordan Hyland continued his good season on the right wing as he pounced on a pinpoint Rene Ranger grubber to open Northland's account.

Wellington managed to get back on top through a pair of tries to two of their young guns.

Second five Thomas Umaga-Jensen powered through Northland's line after a good lineout while first five Jackson Garden-Bachop grabbed a fortunate bounce off a chip and chase to give them the lead going into the break.

Dan Hawkins restored Northland's lead following a long injury break but unfortunately that's as good as it got for the Taniwha as Wellington's fire power came to the fore.

In a 15-minute burst, they all but killed off Northland's hopes of a victory.

It was Wellington's front row, who were dominated at scrum time by their opposites, Ross Wright, Matt Moulds and Ropate Rinakama, who ended up scoring their points.

Promising young hooker Asafo Aumua showed his predilection for playing against Northland by burrowing over shortly after being introduced off the bench while prop Alex Fidow scored his seventh of the season to put Northland down 31-13.

Julian Savea also added a try on his right wing after a strong break started a good move from the home side.

Second five Jack Goodhue gave Northland a sniff of a bonus point as he finished off a top play but it wasn't to be.

Returning captain Brad Shields finished off a strong performance with a brilliant cut-out ball to give Aumua his fifth try against Northland in just two matches.

Northland will now wait but it will be an agonising one, not knowing who or if they'll be involved in the finals until the last game has concluded.

Wellington 36 (Asafo Aumua 2, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Alex Fidow, Julian Savea tries, Garden-Bachop 3 con)
Northland 18 (Jordan Hyland, Jack Goodhue tries, Dan Hawkins con, 2 pen)
HT: 12-10