Kayla McAlister scored a runaway try to put Auckland into the Women's Cup final of the Bayleys National Sevens, part of The New Zealand Herald Summer of Sevens.
In an epic semifinal at the Rotorua International Stadium the IRB Sevens Player of the Year outsprinted Tenika Willison to give Aucklanda 17-12 victory.
Moments earlier Willison, who last month played for Hamilton GHS at the BNZ Condor Sevens, scored under the posts to force the match into sudden death.
Waikato's Honey Hireme had thrilled the crowd with a charging run for the opening try but the star-studded Auckland absorbed the pressure to score through Bella Milo and Lara Diamond-Brahne.
Featuring McAlister, New Zealand captain Huriana Manuel and Linda Itunu, the Aucklanders were expected to pull away in the second spell however Waikato were not overawed by the tournament favourites and will rue lost opportunities.
Manawatu beat a plucky Counties-Manukau 24-5 in the first women's Cup semi final.
Promising 18-year old Hayley Hutana, playing on the wing, scored one try and set up another to Selica Winiata as the defending champions started to hit some form after a scratchy quarter-final.
Two more of Manawatu's national reps, Kristina Sue and Shakira Baker, also scored for Manawatu.
The women's final will be played at 6:55pm.
Earlier, Taranaki eased into the Men's Cup semifinals with a 19-12 win over hosts Bay of Plenty. Waisake Naholo, Beaudein Waaka and Seta Tamanavalu scored tries for the amber and blacks.
The reigning champion plays Wellington who beat Otago 24-19 with giant Tongan Vaea Fifita scoring two tries.
Auckland take on Northland in the first Cup semi final at 4:05.
