Waikato snatch thrilling win

Marty Holah

Waikato 14 Southland 12

A shattered Southland rugby team could scarcely believe it as Waikato conjured an injury time try for victory in Invercargill yesterday.

All Blacks flanker Marty Holah bulldozed over from a ruck with time up on the clock and first five-eighths Stephen Donald slotted the conversion to break Southland hearts.

The hosts looked to have done enough for an upset victory but giant loose forward Sione Lauaki and reserve Brendon Leonard sparked one final raid.

Leonard was tackled 1m short and Southland looked to have turned the ball over, only for Holah to snaffle it and dive over.

Southland rued a patchy goalkicking effort, with first five-eighths Matt Petre missing two handy penalty attempts either side of halftime, then watching a drop goal attempt with two minutes remaining sail just left of the upright.

Waikato captain Steven Bates admitted the home side had every right to feel robbed.

"We certainly did [get out of jail]. We dodged a few bullets today. I think the Southland lads can feel a little bit hard done by but we'll take it, I suppose."

It was Waikato's second consecutive victory to leave them third after two rounds, while for Southland it was back-to-back losses at home.

Southland had recent history on their side, having upset Waikato at home 24-13 two years ago. But there was only one team in it early on as Lauaki, starting his first match since the third test against the Lions six weeks ago, scored after 35 seconds.

He charged down a Petre kick 40m out and strolled over under the posts, giving David Hill a comfortable conversion.

Dropped ball and 30 Waikato turnovers brought Southland back in the game and a Petre penalty had them in touch at 3-7 down at halftime.

Halfback Jimmy Cowan was a standout in front of the All Blacks selectors along with the usual suspects dominating in the loose, Paul Miller and Hale T-Pole.

Southland, who also dominated the lineouts after Waikato lost their beanpole Sean Hohneck to injury on match eve, attacked for much of the second half and Petre's third penalty in the 64th minute got them the lead.

His fourth penalty four minutes later saw them stretch it to 12-7 and when they cleared for touch with one minute left it seemed all over.

But Holah, benched by coach Warren Gatland after his late arrival from Sydney this week, took the field with 20 minutes left and was on hand at the right time to clinch victory.

"We held on for 79 minutes and just blew it with 10 seconds to go. That's the way it goes I suppose," a glum Southland captain Clarke Dermody said.

- NZPA