Rugby: Waikato succumb to the Delany Show

Mike Delany. Photo / Getty Images

Bay of Plenty 32
Waikato 16

Mike Delany, All Black?

Sounds far-fetched, doesn't it - although a month ago you would have said the same thing about his Bay of Plenty team topping the Air NZ Cup table after four rounds.

But this is the year of the underdog and, as Waikato discovered yesterday, Delany's teeth are as sharp as any. He contributed 22 points to the Steamers' 32-16 win in Mount Maunganui and was nearly faultless in his play-making.

The 27-year-old was playing it cool but his Bay of Plenty skipper Colin Bourke had no problems joining a growing chorus calling for the little pivot to make the ultimate step up.

"An All Black? I'd agree with that totally," Bourke said. "The way he's playing is the way we want our No 10s playing all over the country. He won't say too much on it but he's got to be getting closer. The boys really enjoy the way he's performing - we can get in behind and build a game plan around him. It's an awesome feeling looking up from a scrum or a lineout and seeing him carve off a big chuck of turf in front of you."

That, in short, was the game-plan against their arch-rivals Waikato, the big brother in the Chiefs franchise, on a stunning spring afternoon in front of 12,000 fans.

In the first meeting between the two sides at this level since 2005, the Steamers strangled their opponents out of the match, defying a lack of possession and territory with their withering defence.

Delany was in the thick of things all afternoon. He punched over six penalties and two conversions and set up Junior Poluleuligaga's first-half try with a half-break down the blindside. Three of his penalties were from around the 50m mark - two out in front and one angled.

Waikato headed over the Kaimai Ranges with just one win and five competition points to show for a frustrating start to their season and were desperate to improve on their 13th spot.

With Liam Messam on a roving commission at blindside flanker and Dwayne Sweeney at his jinking best, they appeared to have the arsenal to stop the Steamers' unlikely unbeaten streak.

Messam again showed that the No 6 jersey is his best, despite what All Black selectors would have you believe. He charged, chipped and chased himself to a standstill.

Waikato coach Chris Gibbes was pragmatic at the result: "Hats off to the Bay - they created a few opportunities and they scored from them. They were deserved winners."

Gibbes, however, acknowledged things were starting to slip away for his side: "As each week goes by, the competition gets a bit further advanced and you start to get under pressure but we're still in a good spot. We know what we've got to work on and we get another afternoon game against Counties to have a shot at it."

The Steamers are heading to Eden Park, meanwhile, likely to be bolstered by returning All Black Tanerau Latimer and with no serious injuries arising from the game.

Bay of Plenty 32 (J Polule-uligaga, S King tries; M Delany 6 pen, 2 con) Waikato 16 (S Tokula try; C Bruce 3 pen, con). HT: 13-9.