Tanivula lifts Auckland to win

8.35pm

AUCKLAND 39 OTAGO 32


Fijian Iliesa Tanivula scored the winner after the fulltime hooter tonight and lifted defending champions Auckland into next weekend's national first division rugby championship final against Wellington,

It was Tanivula's second try of the night in their 39-32 win over Otago in the second semifinal of the weekend at Carisbrook.

They will meet Wellington, who beat Waikato 30-29 yesterday, in Wellington in the final next weekend.

With both teams tied 32-32 after scoring four tries each, both looked for the winner in the last 10 minutes of this thriller.

While the homeside hunted for the decisive points through the boots of their kickers, the Aucklanders showed a little more enterprise in moving the ball for a try.

As the last-gasp Auckland attack started at about midfield, the fulltime hooter went.

Tanivula powered in from centre in a reshuffled Auckland backline, caused by Ben Atiga's call-up by the All Blacks to stand by for the injured Ben Blair and Sam Tuitupou's injury, to score between posts.

He had smashed through an Auckland tackler, brushed aside another and dragged a third defender over the line.

Brent Ward banged over his fourth conversion, in addition to two penalty goals, from in front.

While the overjoyed Auckland players tried to help Tanivula back to his feet after he seemingly injured himself during the scoring, Carisbrook was suddenly silent.

With Tuitupou still unable to play tonight, Auckland coach Wayne Pivac moved Tanivula to centre and brought on sevens player Tony Koonwaiyou to left wing from the bench.

Koonwaiyou repaid Pivac' faith by scoring two tries as well.

There was little between the two teams. Auckland scored three tries through Orene Ai'i, Tanivula and Koonwaiyou to two, by Josh Blackie and winger Neil Brew, to lead 19-15 at halftime.

Eight minutes after the break Blackie, in scintillating form, scored his second try and Willie Walker added the conversion to drag the lead, 22-19, Otago's way.

Both teams moved the ball swiftly to the flanks to utilise their fast men on the outside, but Auckland were the first to be rewarded.

Koonwaiyou scorched in for this second try and Ward, who had kicked a penalty just minutes earlier, added the conversion to take his team to 29-25 lead.

Walker kept his team in touch with a penalty goal before prop Carl Hayman touched down to put Otago ahead 32-29. Ward levelled the scores with his second penalty before the desperate hunt began and Tanivula shot down Otago with a strong burst through the middle.


Auckland 39 (Tony Koonwaiyou 2, Iliesa Tanivula 2, Orene Ai'i tries; Brent Ward 2 pen, 4 con)

Otago 32 (Josh Blackie 2, Neil Brew, Carl Hayman tries; Willie Walker 2 pen, 3 con)

Halftime: 19-15

- NZPA