Shannan Chase scored two tries to help Hawkes Bay defend the Ranfurly Shield. Photo / Getty
Hawke's Bay 20
Southland 20
The stakes were simple: defend or claim the Ranfurly Shield.
Victory would guarantee Hawke's Bay and Southland semi-final places in the ITM Cup Championship; Southland couldn't get better than fourth but a loss could see Hawke's Bay lose a home semi-final with the Log.
Hawke's Bay retained the Shield with the draw but only courtesy of a last minute dropped goal from Ihaia West who, straight out in front and with a penalty advantage looming, took aim and fired to make it 20-20.
The Log will spend its summer among the vineyards; the expulsion of sighs from the McLean Park crowd could have swayed the Norfolk pines on Marine Parade.
The draw means Hawke's Bay have repelled four challenges following their start of the tenure with victory against Counties-Manukau in August. Southland were seconds away from a third Shield triumph in five years.
Hawke's Bay repelled a sustained attack from Southland late in the match. For minutes they showed immaculate discipline avoiding a match-defining penalty. Well, they did until Magpies lock Michael Allardice decided to enter a ruck precisely 180 degrees from the legitimate 'gate'. Lima Sopoaga's penalty took the Stags out to 20-17.
The teams produced a flowing spectacle which dipped deep into their aerobic fitness, albeit with too much lateral movement. But hell, it was riveting. A number of turnovers resulted as the respective loose trios struggled to keep up.
The backlines struggled to straighten their attack at times although the likes of Hawke's Bay centre Robbie Fruean and Southland second five-eighths Willis Halaholo would be within their rights to disagree. Fruean's statement was notable after his omission from next year's Chiefs squad.
The first half saw Hawke's Bay earn the better attacking opportunities but they were failed to capitalise until five minutes before the break. They dropped the ball repeatedly when a try-scoring chance beckoned as though they'd dipped their hands in a butter vat pre-match.
Attacking weapon Ryan Tongia was the worst culprit. The hosts were also shaken by punishing Southland defence. Mark Jackman's hit on Jason Shoemark is certain to be a 'Smashed Em Bro' nominee.
Fortunately for Hawke's Bay the oil on their hands evaporated into resin late in the first half as Shannan Chase was sent in for two tries from contrasting circumstances.One came from a disciplined forward build-up, the other from impeccable handling by Ihaia West and Richard Buckman and a pre-emptive tackle strike from Halaholo to create a gap.
The second try and 17-14 halftime advantage provided palpable relief for the hosts.
Fullbacks, Richard Buckman and Junior Ngaluafe delivered the most skill. The reliability of Buckman's clearing punts, his tackling and his elusiveness on attack have been season highlights although his performance was matched by the pace and guile of Ngaluafe who carved through the midfield for the opening try with the hosts' defence merging like a zip behind him.
His recovery from a Tongia chip midway through the second half and 60m clearing punt was another demonstration of a suave rugby countenance.
The first-five eighths also gave a solid account of themselves. For the visitors Sopoaga offered enterprise and flair, constantly questioning the Hawke's Bay defensive line. His probing produced the second Southland try when he repelled Chase and West on the inside channel from an attacking scrum.
West was guilty of dropping the ball early with the line in sight and forcing the pass on occasion with set moves. However, one of his strengths is composure and ability to shake off pressure which he ultimately put into practice with his Shield-retaining drop kick.
Hawke's Bay 20 (S.Chase 2 tries, I.West 2 con, pen, dg)
Southland 20 (J.Ngaluafe, L.Sopoaga tries, Sopoaga 2 con 2 pen) Halftime: 17-14