NPC Division One round-up

WAIKATO 26, TARANAKI 20

Queensland Reds-bound Brock James was as gutted as everyone else in the Taranaki rugby camp that his kicking let him down in the game for a semifinal spot.

James, who has shattered several points-scoring records for Taranaki this year, managed only two from five.

"It wasn't a good day for my kicking to go missing," the 22-year-old first-five-eighth said. "The guys put so much into the game. My focus has been NPC and it's absolutely gutting to come up empty."

James has signed a two-year deal with the Reds after an outstanding season with Taranaki in the NPC.

Although he wants to return to Taranaki next season, his NPC future is unclear.

"I'm not sure about coming back next year, but I've asked the Reds if I can," James said. "I've loved it here, it's been awesome.

The New Zealand Rugby Union ruled that the Hurricanes could not have James because he did not qualify to play for New Zealand, having represented Australia in sevens.

Waikato first five-eighth David Hill landed six from six.

Taranaki dominated until halftime to lead 13-9 after scoring two tries, in the 20th minute through left winger Shayne Austin and then by right winger Sailosi Tagicakibau.

That reflected their game. They engaged the forwards to free up the ball for their backline to have a crack.

But Waikato's experience told in the end when winger Soseni Anesi and No 8 Steven Bates scored a try each in the last 14 minutes.

Anesi, the highest try scorer in the division, crossed for his ninth of the season in the 66th minute to give Waikato the lead for the first time in the game.

The Taranaki defence, which had been solid all over the field until then, was stretched on the right and it never recovered.

"It's a pretty tough assignment to come here and try to get points this year," Waikato captain Jono Gibbes said.

"We didn't get everything on our own terms and I'm really rapt the guys gutsed it out and got the points.

"We never felt we were out of the game at all even after they dominated and scored the first two tries. The sinbinning of [prop, David] Briggs messed us up a wee bit at lineout time."

Taranaki captain Paul Tito said it was going to be a long summer for his players. "It's disappointing. Going so close only makes it harder.

"I couldn't have asked for more. We've just got to stick together as a team and build on this next year."

CANTERBURY 68, NORTHLAND 19

Canterbury ran in 10 tries to gain maximum points, retain the Ranfurly Shield for another summer and confirm winless Northland's status as the bottom team to play the promotion-relegation match against the second division champions in a fortnight.

Canterbury now host Bay of Plenty in a semifinal at Jade Stadium on Saturday.

Fullback Ben Blair scored the final try on fulltime to bag three for the night. Wing Scott Hamilton and replacement flanker Johnny Leo'o both scored a double.

All Blacks goalkicker Daniel Carter was his usual radar-like self, converting nine of the Canterbury tries and scoring one himself in the 29th minute for a personal haul of 22 points.

Wing Caleb Ralph's try in the 26th minute from a clever Carter in-pass secured them the bonus point on the way to a 42-5 halftime lead.

Northland showed more fight in the second half as Canterbury coach Aussie McLean called on his bench players.

Canterbury captain Richie McCaw was far from impressed.

"Looking back it wasn't too bad but we've certainly got some work to do," McCaw said.

Northland captain Jared Going was reaching for the positives and remained confident of staying in the top division.

They conceded 436 points from their nine matches and secured just one competition bonus point.

"We had aspirations of taking the Shield home. We'd talked about it all week as our focus but they just came out in that first half and blew us off the paddock."

WELLINGTON 30, SOUTHLAND 0

Wellington host fourth-placed Waikato on Friday after their win in Invercargill.

Wellington's only headache is the possible suspension of their All Blacks loose forward Jerry Collins who was sent off by referee Steve Walsh for a high tackle on Paul Miller.

Wellington led 14-0 after 20 minutes, withstood a period of attack from the hosts and didn't score their third and final try until the 75th minute through replacement back Jimmy Gopperth.

- NZPA

NPC fixtures, results and standings
Division One | Division Two |