Waikato spoil Otago's golden run

Waikato's Sitiveni Sivivatu in action. Jeff Brass / Getty Images

Otago's charge into next week's NPC first division rugby semifinals hit a speed bump in Hamilton today as Waikato scored three tries to one to beat them 25-13.

Otago already booked a playoffs berth with last week's impressive win over Canterbury, but today ruined a chance to push Canterbury for a home semifinal.

An Otago victory today followed by a Canterbury loss to Auckland tonight would have seen Otago host a semifinal.

Instead, Otago failed to gain even a bonus point at Waikato Stadium as they were outmuscled by a committed Waikato side, who posted just their fourth win of the season.

The loss left Otago in third place on 28 points, but they could be overtaken by North Harbour, on 27 points, who face Southland in Invercargill tomorrow and could snatch a home semifinal depending on tonight's result in Christchurch.

After winning their opening three games this season, Waikato fell off the rails with five consecutive losses, but finally produced a display worthy of a team stacked with Super 12 players and a smattering of All Blacks.

Waikato sealed the result when replacement midfield back David Hill scored a try with two minutes but they had maintained a comfortable buffer throughout the match after leading 10-3 at halftime with a strong win at their backs.

Waikato's All Blacks' duo of blindside flanker Sione Lauaki and halfback Byron Kelleher were instrumental in their performance, while No 8 and captain Steven Bates had a hand in two tries.

In the battle of the first five-eighths, promising Waikato pivot Stephen Donald outplayed his counterpart Nick Evans.

Donald scored a second-half try and was a constant threat with his strong running.

Some Waikato players were playing for 2006 Super 14 contracts with Chiefs coach Ian Foster an interested spectator today, and their rapid start would have impressed him.

After numerous phases, Bates threw a long cutout pass to fullback Soseni Anesi, who scored untouched, and Donald landed the sideline conversion in blustery conditions.

Donald and Evans traded penalties for the rest of the half, but after the break Donald charged between Evans and second five-eighth Seilala Mapusua to score.

His break followed a botched Otago lineout and a Bates charge which set up the try.

Down 6-17, Evans showed he had brought his kicking boots with a long range penalty, and sideline conversion of Jason Shoemark's try trimming Waikato's lead to 20-13.

But Hill's late score ensured Otago's record of not having won in Hamilton since 1995 would continue.

"It's been very tough season but it makes the summer a little bit sweeter having a win at the end. At least we finished well," Bates said.

"I don't think we were that pretty. The lineouts were tough with the wind but we worked a lot harder in the second half."


Waikato 25

(Soseni Anesi, Stephen Donald, David Hill tries; Donald 2 pen, 2 con)

Otago 13

(Jason Shoemark try, Nick Evans 2 pen, con)

Halftime: 10-3.


- NZPA