Rugby: More southern blues for Waikato

Waikato's South Island horrors continued as they were trumped 23-9 by Tasman in an Air NZ Cup rugby match at Blenheim tonight.

Tasman captain Andrew Goodman was a standout figure as his side powered clear in the second half and virtually ensured they will finish the seventh round residing in the competition's top four.

Waikato's fourth loss may well leave them among the bottom four as they pay the price for another poor performance south of Cook Strait.

They are away to all four South Island sides this season and have now lost to Southland, Canterbury and Tasman, and will not be relishing a trip to Otago next month.

Goodman ended the match with 15 points, including a remarkable match-swinging try 30 seconds after halftime which built on his side's 10-9 lead at the break.

Receiving the ball at first receiver 60m out, Goodman scooted behind the ruck and left the blindside defence for dead, swerving past the Waikato cover for a sensational score.

It was the highlight of a game dominated largely by kicking, with Goodman and Waikato first five-eighth Trent Renata using powerful boots in a battle for territory.

Goodman kicked two penalties and converted a fourth-minute try to centre Afeleki Pelenise, set up by a blindside break from Kahn Fotuali'i.

Arguably the form halfback of the competition, Fotuali'i capped a superb game with a dropped goal midway through the second spell.

Waikato's only points on a limp evening came via three penalties to second five-eighth Callum Bruce.

Their lineout functioned well but they were outgunned at the scrum and breakdown in a performance which was a poor follow-up to wins over Counties-Manukau and Hawke's Bay.

- NZPA