Rugby: Mooloos ring warning bells

By WYNNE GRAY

Buckle up for a rough Ranfurly Shield ride, Canterbury.

That Mooloo message came through from the holders as they posted defence No 21 in repelling yet another North Harbour challenge which withered in the forward battle.

It was an opportune expression of Waikato's growing confidence and strengths for the Canterbury challenge in a fortnight.

That visit may lose some prominence because of competition from the Olympics, but talk of that massive meeting was burbling round Rugby Park before Waikato finished off Harbour 24-11 on Saturday.

The hype in Hamilton would have hit another level hours later as Canterbury answered Waikato's showing with an ominous obliteration of Taranaki.

The September 23 challenge looms large already, though the protagonists have to play the cellar-dwellers in the next round. Southland won the battle of the bottom sides yesterday as David Hill kicked them to a hometown win against Counties Manukau.

Canterbury's form and its All Black-laden squad suggest the area can take the triple this season - the Super 12, NPC and Ranfurly Shield.

Their compelling play against Taranaki added to that argument. At their best, Canterbury play a brand of rugby which most NPC first-division teams are not familiar with.

But Waikato showed the forward muscle, defence and nous necessary to blunt and overcome the red and black challenge. They know how to play top football and they appreciate the conditions and quirks of Rugby Park.

Auckland too, in their defiant despatch of Wellington, indicated that they could take on the table-toppers as well.

The defending NPC champions may become Shield beneficiaries because if Waikato survive Canterbury's challenge, they would have to rise to an Auckland invasion the weekend after.

Most of Canterbury's squad have been examined extensively during the season and after some moderate work against Auckland, their All Blacks belted out a strong tune on Saturday. Todd Blackadder and Andrew Mehrtens were magnificent, Scott Robertson, Reuben Thorne and Greg Somerville not far behind.

There is power and precision in the pack and invention and endeavour throughout the backs, where former All Black Daryl Gibson is starting to spark again.

Waikato can counter, Harbour will tell anyone.

Harbour flailed about against the driving play of Royce Willis, Chresten Davis, Deon Muir, David Briggs, Guy Coleman and Deacon Manu. They were beaten to the breakdown by Marty Holah and Jonno Gibbes, rocked in the scrums and upset in the lineouts.

Willis is back to his best, his power and courage making light of the heavy conditions. "I am a lot more relaxed." After his rapid rise to be an All Black in 1998, Willis said he might have tried a bit too hard to keep his place as he also fought several serious injuries.

Two lapses aside on Saturday, the Waikato backs nail their tackles and are getting growing value from Scott McLeod, Bruce Reihana and Co.

Wellington forwards Norm Hewitt and Dion Waller have been cited after Friday night's game against Auckland.