Rugby: Southland continue unbeaten run

Southland celebrate a Matt Saunders try. Photo / Getty Images

The Southland rugby team had multiple reasons to enjoy a celebratory drink tonight.

Their hard fought 23-20 win over Hawke's Bay in Napier ensured they remain unbeaten and atop the ITM Cup standings after four rounds.

As well, the match marked the 100th appearance for the province of veteran hooker Jason Rutledge, while first five-eighth Robbie Robinson celebrated his 21st birthday with an assured allround display to contribute 13 points from his goalkicking.

A last minute try from wing Zac Guildford earned Hawke's Bay a bonus point but they were left to rue missed goalkicking opportunities after first five-eighth Daniel Kirkpatrick succeeded with just two of his six attempts.

A sudden but brief torrential brief downpour early in the match meant conditions underfoot at McLean Park remained slippery for the duration of the contest, placing a premium on accuracy in handling and ball control.

Southland suffered an early setback when Sinoti Sinoti scored in just the second minute, set up by second five-eighth Andrew Horrell, who benefited from the confusion caused by three decoy runners to slice through a big hole before sending out a wide ball for his winger.

The Ranfurly Shield holders responded in style 10min later when they converted a lineout take into a try when fullback Glen Horton entered the backline and slipped past Sinoti to create an overlap for left wing Pehi Te Whare.

Robinson's sideline conversion saw Southland sneak ahead but the lead changed hands within 2min when Hawke's Bay hooker Hika Elliot galloped 40m upfield before the ball was spread to the left for lock Ross Kennedy to cross in the corner.

Kirkpatrick converted from the sideline but he missed two very kickable penalty attempts either side of that to deny his side valuable points.

Coming off successive heavy losses to Bay of Plenty and Tasman, last season's beaten semifinallists Hawke's Bay were decidedly better today but they could not stop Southland stealing a 14-12 halftime lead.

Southland second five-eighth Matt Saunders edged his side in front again with a try in the 37th minute after running on to a stab kick through from wing Tony Koonwaiyou to slide across the line.

Robinson nailed the conversion then landed two penalties from 40-42m range in the third quarter as Southland extended their lead to 20-12.

Kirkpatrick then landed one of his own from slightly shorter distance and Robinson responded in kind in the 70th minute, before Guildford set off on a gliding run in the 79th minute en route to dotting down in the right-hand corner.

Southland 23 (Pehi Te Whare, Matt Saunders tries; Robbie Robinson 3 pen, 2 con) Hawke's Bay 20 (Sinoti Sinoti, Ross Kennedy, Zac Guildford tries; Daniel Kirkpatrick pen, con). Halftime: 14-12.

- NZPA