All purpose Waikato book home final

Soseni Anesi of Waikato dives in to score a try. Ross Land / Getty Images

Waikato 44 Otago 15

WELLINGTON - Waikato romped into the Air New Zealand Cup rugby final after swatting aside an outmatched Otago 44-15 in tonight's semifinal in Hamilton.

The all-purpose Mooloo men will return to Waikato Stadium next Saturday looking to produce another such dominant performance against Wellington, who outplayed Auckland 30-15 in the first semifinal at Eden Park last night.

Tonight's result was practically sealed by halftime, when Waikato led 25-3, having played at a level of intensity that left the visitors grasping for possession or forward momentum.

The hosts lifted their performance notably from last week's 24-12 quarterfinal defeat of Southland while Otago had nothing like the space they enjoyed in when they beat North Harbour 56-21 a week ago.

The southerners are the only team to have beaten top qualifiers Waikato this season but they struggled all night to penetrate a rushing defence, often finding their attacks halted behind the advantage line.

Waikato stood up to the vaunted Otago scrum and also had the edge at lineout time.

Their forwards were more effective at the breakdown and they had more game-breakers out wide, including winger Sosene Anesi, who crossed for two tries midway through the first half to open up a 22-3 lead.

The stage was set in the fourth minute when the ball went through several sets of Waikato hands in a sweeping move before fullback Mils Muliaina's grubber kick was gathered by centre Richard Kahui, the in-form centre who was in doubt with injury before kickoff.

Anesi's double was bisected by a penalty to Otago first five-eighth Nick Evans but Waikato second five-eighth David Hill, who compiled 14 points with the boot, slotted a penalty prior to the break.

Captain and flanker Josh Blackie scored for Otago soon after halftime, his try set up by a mazy counter-attacking run from fullback Craig Clare.

However, Waikato skipper Steven Bates was driven over for one of his own soon afterwards and winger Sitiveni Sivivatu crossed for the hosts after a 50m burst by replacement flanker Liam Messam.

Reserve flanker Tim Boys restored a little pride for Otago with a try but replacement halfback Brendon Leonard had the final say with Waikato's sixth try on the stroke of fulltime.

Waikato 44 (Sosene Anesi 2, Richard Kahui, Steven Bates, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Brendon Leonard tries; David Hill 2 pen, 4 con)

Otago 15 (Josh Blackie, Tim Boys tries; Nick Evans pen, con).

Halftime: 25-3.

- NZPA