By CHRIS RATTUE - WAIKATO 23 WELLINGTON 18
Waikato outmuscled Wellington to win their NPC encounter in Hamilton tonight, but they had to rely on the instincts of makeshift wing Loki Crichton to get the result.
Much of Waikato's dominant build-up work went unrewarded at Waikato Stadium, although Ian Foster and
his troops would have breathed a huge sigh of relief because - in contrast to the first-round clash against Taranaki - they eked out a win despite the attacking impotence.
Waikato emerged five-point victors, thanks to their forwards controlling the entire match.
After a 13-all first half, Wellington struck early in the second spell with a long Christian Cullen kick out of defence allowing wing Sireli Bobo to collect and run virtually unopposed to the line for an 18-13 lead.
But for Crichton's 45th-minute strike, Waikato may have struck disaster in a game they should have made safe well before the final whistle.
Wellington lock Kristian Ormsby tried to fling a pass to Cullen, and Crichton picked it to perfection, strolled away from the chasing Paul Steinmetz, and added the simple conversion.
The final scoring came from a Crichton penalty in the 49th minute, after Jason Spice was caught offside. It gave him 18 points for the match.
But even then, Wellington had one last throw of the dice from the kickoff, an opportunity that should have been denied them.
Waikato captain Jono Gibbes produced a lineout steal to make the game safe, and the Waikato players could hug each other in delight.
Wellington's defence had to be applauded. Waikato had Wellington - and especially their scrum - in all sorts of bother midway through the spell as they camped near the Wellington goal-line.
World Cup prospect Rodney So'oialo walked from the field with an injured neck during this stanza, after another Wellington scrum went backwards.
Waikato had dominated the first half, except at the most important place, the scoreboard.
Only a late penalty goal from Crichton brought the score to 13-all, as the home side struggled to break the Wellington defence while the visitors took advantage of their few opportunities.
With Wellington leading 6-3, Waikato scored the game's first try in the 25th minute after Bobo lost the ball on attack and Waikato roared on to the offensive. Fullback Todd Miller made the vital cut, Derek Maisey kicked the loose ball on, and Waikato drove the Wellington defenders back over their line, with prop Michael Collins getting the touchdown.
Wellington's answer was a try to centre Ma'a Nonu. Lock Ross Kennedy surged upfield, and when Wellington lost the ball, Maisey slipped while clearing and presented the ball to Bobo. He skirted across field, and fed Nonu who beat the defending forwards with ease.
A faultless goalkicking performance from Crichton and David Holwell, who landed three out of three each, sent the sides to the halftime break on an even footing.
But Waikato would have been disappointed not to have had at least a small lead.
Waikato 23 (M. Collins, L. Crichton tries; Crichton 3 pen, 2 con)
Wellington 18 (M. Nonu, S. Bobo tries; D. Holwell 2 pen, con). HT: 13-13.
By CHRIS RATTUE - WAIKATO 23 WELLINGTON 18
Waikato outmuscled Wellington to win their NPC encounter in Hamilton tonight, but they had to rely on the instincts of makeshift wing Loki Crichton to get the result.
Much of Waikato's dominant build-up work went unrewarded at Waikato Stadium, although Ian Foster and
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