Rugby: Dagg scores on return to keep Steamers at bay

Andrew Horrell of Hawke's Bay. Photo / Getty Images

Bay of Plenty 13

Hawke's Bay 32

At times, this game threatened to be something memorable but in the end it proved to be nothing more than a functional win for the Hawke's Bay that will quickly be forgotten.

It never lacked endeavour or ambition. Both sides were all about creating then trying to take opportunities. But neither had enough impact at the collision; neither was able to secure their ball in all areas of the field and it descended into an endless dart between the respective 22s.

The Magpies did at least manage to score two first half tries when they were able to keep their focus and accuracy. The first came from Kahn Fotuali'i when he scampered from a breakdown right through the middle of the fringe defence and under the sticks.

It was typical work from the Hawke's Bay halfback who continues to look like one of the best halfbacks in world rugby.

It was another World Cup hopeful, Israel Dagg, returning from injury, who scored the other first half try that, as it turned out, pretty much secured the match. The Magpies' 17-3 lead was extended by a Daniel Kirkpatrick penalty immediately after the break and that was it until Zac Guildford scored in the 72nd minute.

Dagg made an immediate impact after he entered the fray on the half hour mark. A neatly stolen turnover was put through the hands to Kane Thompson who threw a dummy and cantered into space. He delayed his pass to the steaming Dagg who strode easily past the cover from halfway. If there was any doubt about his fitness, Dagg dispelled it with his first touch. He jumped on a plane to South Africa this morning and is expected to start against the Boks in Port ELizabeth. He was eager to be involved whenever he could and the pleasing side of his performance was the ease with which he was covering the ground.

All those weeks rehabilitating without being knocked around clearly enabled him to improve his aerobic base and find the sharpness in his running.

His old mate Guildford looked just as sharp and pulled off the neatest trick when he managed to toe poke, rather than scoop the ball, to Dagg in the face of an advancing Bay of Plenty defence.

The Hawke's Bay wing will need a bit more of that if he's to survive the World Cup selection cull of next week. He is desperately quick as he again showed last night when he screamed down the touchline to score a try with eight minutes remaining.

But opportunity to shine with ball in hand wasn't as plentiful as he would have liked.

Both packs were willing at the tackled ball and enjoyed equal success at pinching turnovers and successfully executing counter rucks.

The scrummaging contest was just as competitive and the lineout was hard to predict.

All of which meant that the outcome came down to execution - the ability to take points from half chances was the critical factor. The Bay of Plenty will be disappointed by their inability to be more forceful.

Much of their attacking was lateral and delayed by clumsy handling. Jamie Nutbrown was the exception with the former Crusader suggesting he would be a good buy for any of the five Super Rugby franchises.

The Steamers weren't helped by the loss of their inspirational captain Colin Bourke who didn't return after the break. Bourke was beginning to command the game in the final 10 minutes of the first half and without him, the Bay of Plenty lacked direction and composure until they grabbed a consolation score at the death.

Bay of Plenty 13 (L. Braid try; D. Waenga con, 2 pens)

Hawke's Bay 32 (K. Fotuali'i, I. Dagg, Z. Guildford 2 tries; A. Horrell 2 cons, 2 pens; K. Fotuali'i con)