Harbour grab crucial points despite defeat

By CHRIS RATTUE

Wellington 35 North Harbour 31

Wellington took the victory but North Harbour gained the vital bonus points to keep alive their hopes of a home semifinal in the NPC.

Wellington won a classic battle at the WestpacTrust Stadiu, with flanker Rodney So'oialo just beating Anthony Tuitavake to a try-saving touchdown in the final seconds, as a long-range Harbour move threatened to grab victory.

By scoring four tries and finishing within seven points of Wellington, North Harbour gained two bonus points.

It means that third-placed Waikato would have to score a bonus-point victory over Canterbury in Christchurch in the final round to overhaul North Harbour for a top-two spot, and thus home semifinal advantage.

North Harbour beat Waikato in their round two clash at Albany, so would stay ahead of them if they finished level on the table. North Harbour play Southland in Invercargill in the final round next weekend.

And fourth-placed Auckland will need nine points from their final two matches against Canterbury in today's shield challenge and Counties Manukau to have a chance of overhauling North Harbour.

Wellington's well-deserved win last night ended a seven-game North Harbour winning streak.

Wellington, without Jonah Lomu (foot injury and flu) produced some classic try-scoring moments with Tana Umaga prominent.

After leading 21-17 at the break, they surrendered the lead to a Rico Gear try, after great leadup work and finishing from the North Harbour centre.

But a planned move from a scrum, with fullback Glen Osborne dragged out of position, got Wellington in front again.

A fifth try to wing Lome Fa'atau gave Wellington the comfort of a 35-24 lead, but North Harbour finished the stronger, with Mark Robinson charging over from a scrum to narrow the gap.

And had referee Colin Hawke found a few more seconds on his watch, Harbour would have been well placed for victory with a five-metre scrum, following So'oialo's save.

A burst of try-scoring action from Wellington midway through the first half gave them a slender advantage going into the second spell.

North Harbour scored first through loose forward Liam Barry, who twisted his way over the line from a ruck.

But poor kicking got North Harbour into trouble, leading to tries by So'oialo and Paul Steinmetz.

And Lome Fa'atau added a third after a superb kick from Umaga, who also had a hand in his side's second try, to put Wellington out to a threatening 21-7 lead.

A moment of brilliance from North Harbour captain Robinson dragged his side back into the hunt.

He stole the ball from his opposite Jason Spice at the back of a Wellington scrum, regained his feet, then beat two tacklers on a run to the line. It was a superb piece of opportunism, strength and balance.

The five championship points keeps alive Wellington's slim hopes of having a chance to retain their title - but they will need some minor miracles still to make the semifinals.

Wellington 35 (L. Fa'atau 2, C. Cullen, P. Steinmetz, T. Umaga tries; D. Holwell 5 con) North Harbour 31 (M. Robinson 2, L. Barry, R. Gear tries; W. Walker 3 con, pen, F. Botica con). Halftime: 21-17.