Rugby: Mooloos clinch bonus point with last play

Waikato left it to the last minute to claim a bonus point 27-19 win over Northland in Hamilton. Photo / Getty Images

Waikato 27
Northland 19

A rattled then resurgent Waikato kept their Air NZ Cup rugby semifinal hopes alive by belatedly engineering a precious 27-19 bonus point victory over lowly Northland in Hamilton.

Waikato kept a gallant Northland side scoreless in the second half -- and crucially in the 55th minute when a key turnover when hard on defence orchestrated the match-turning try to Sosene Anesi.

Dwayne Sweeney then secured a potentially crucial bonus point when he crossed in the last movement of the game to ice Waikato's recovery.

Until the wing dived over untouched Northland were on the brink of giving Blues franchise partner Auckland a minor leg-up.

Waikato is provisionally fourth with 36 points, Auckland can close to 35 if they take maximum points from Counties Manukau tomorrow, setting up a tantalising final round clash at Waikato Stadium next weekend though Southland and Hawke's Bay can still deny the powerhouses.

Northland played well above their station at 13th on the log, rattling Waikato throughout a first half they deservedly lead 19-10 on the back of a smartly engineered try, staunch defence and Lachie Munro's flawless five-from-five goal kicking.

Their season long over and top-tier future in jeopardy, Northland made light of those distractions to hoe into an All Black-bolstered Waikato side seeking a fifth consecutive win.

Waikato opened the scoring through a eighth minute Stephen Donald penalty and produced the first try after 75-match veteran Sosene Anesi timed his backline incision perfectly but Northland barely flinched, negating the fullback's score practically from the restart.

Former Waikato representative Jared Payne breached the line piercing back on the angle, ageless first five-eighth David Holwell handled twice to have wing Damien Fakafanua skirting over in the corner.

Lachie Munro nailed the sideline conversion then slotted two handier penalties to give Northland a nine-point buffer.

Waikato's anxiety was evident in the closing stages of the first half when captain Liam Messam opted for a seven-pointer rather than a regulation three; Northland defence held, though only just when Donald had the ball jolted free as he dived for the line.

Needing a rapid improvement as the conditions deteriorated, Aled de Malmanche proved the catalyst in the 45th minute, his lineout feed 22-metres out culminated in the hooker bursting through the ruck, swatting halfback Luke Hamilton aside before carrying three defenders over the line.

Donald missed the extras but the momentum had shifted through the scoreline remained close.

Northland's lineout, a liability during the season, started to falter though it was staunch Waikato defence that turned the tide in the 55th minute.

After hammering away at the Waikato line without success, Northland finally spread the ball only for Jackson Willison to rush up and thwart the attack.

Messam snaffled the turnover as Northland back tracked feeding lock Toby Lynn who transferred to Jack Lam, the openside drawing the last defender so Anesi had a saloon passage 70m behind the posts.

The final 10 minutes was drawn out due to Northland loose forward Matt Harrison being stretchered off in a neck brace. He was taken to Waikato Hospital for assessment.

Waikato 27 (Sosene Anesi 2, Aled de Malmanche, Dwayne Sweeney tries; Stephen Donald pen 2 con)Northland 19 (Damien Fakafanua try; Lachie Munro 4 pen con)

- NZPA