Botica takes blame for bonus botch

By CHRIS RATTUE

North Harbour 25 Waikato 6

Frano Botica was willing to take some blame, but the veteran North Harbour first five-eighth could also share in the credit.

Harbour became the latest New Zealand side to buck the bonus point as they upset Waikato at Albany on Saturday.

Twice in the last four minutes, North Harbour kicked penalties when a fourth-try bonus point was beckoning. The first, after Waikato fullback Grant McQuoid embarked on a suicide run, was perhaps understandable. At 19-6, North Harbour could have lost if Waikato had found two tries in those last four minutes.

But the final shot with the game safe defied belief, coming days after North Harbour coach Wayne Shelford publicly disagreed with All Blacks captain Anton Oliver's decision to waste a bonus-point chance in the Tri-Nations.

Shelford has the jet black hair of his playing days, but a few grey ones may have sprung up as he watched this from the stands.

Harbour's electronic communication system was apparently on the blink as Botica - who as senior pro was assumed to be the leader after captain Mark Robinson left the field - lined up the shot.

"It was a misunderstanding. There were confused messages being shouted from the sideline," said Botica. "We thought they wanted the shot - I would have run it.

"I'll take the blame. We'll see at the end of the season if the point counts."

Of course a try would not automatically have been scored, but it was worth a crack.

"I was screaming for a lineout," said Robinson. "In the debrief we'll have to sort out who takes over when I go off."

Shelford was left explaining that in his day players knew how the competition worked. The famed All Blacks captain said today's players need schooling in this art. A problem with this logic, though, is that the 38-year-old Botica is from Shelford's playing days.

It was not all bad news for Botica. His vision had a telling effect in the final quarter after he replaced Willie Walker, helping Harbour sail home. Harbour backs coach Allan Pollock says he is badgered daily by the veteran about starting, rather than being on the bench.

"I just want to know the reasons," is Botica's version of these conversations.

North Harbour's formula, though, appeared sound as they stopped Waikato in their tracks before a small, rain-affected crowd of around 7000 at North Harbour Stadium.

Waikato used early kicks to try to set Bruce Reihana and Roger Randle free, but after having the better of the first half they trailed 3-7.

The rain poured down at halftime, creating what might traditionally be considered ideal conditions for Waikato, but Harbour prevailed. They had started Walker for his stronger defence to help deal with charges from Scott McLeod, and it was Walker who wrestled across the line on halftime to give his side a lead they never lost.

Waikato coach Kiwi Searancke said his side failed to get momentum from which they could use their backs, and he was confused over referee Paddy O'Brien's tackled-ball rulings.

"It is a major area of concern in the game," said Searancke. "There's a lot of flopping over the ball and no way of getting rid of those players without getting yellow carded. It is difficult to get go-forward unless you are clearly breaking the line.

"But we got a reality check from North Harbour today."