Rugby: East Coast into third division final again

East Coast conceded two tries while their playmaker Mano Flutey was on the sidelines paying the penalty for retaliation, but he came back to grab the winner in yesterday's third-division NPC rugby semifinal in Ruatoria.

First five-eighths Flutey kicked a fine drop-goal seven minutes from the end to take his team into their third consecutive divisional final with an 18-17 win over Wairarapa-Bush.

They will meet North Otago, who beat Poverty Bay 53-32, in Sunday's final at Oamaru.

Flutey was sinbinned by Bay of Plenty referee Matt Peters for retaliation in the first half and in his absence Wairarapa-Bush scored two tries to lead 12-8 at halftime.

However, the home side came roaring back in the last 15 minutes to snatch victory.

East Coast coach Joe McClutchie said: "I think our 80-minute game won in the end because they slowed down in that last 10 to 15 minutes."

On Saturday, Poverty Bay went to Oamaru looking for revenge, but left after yet another hiding.

North Otago scored five tries and first five-eighths Simon Porter kicked 28 points.

The match was a repeat of the final round-robin clash in which North Otago thrashed Poverty Bay 46-7 last week.

- NZPA