Pita Anae-Ah Sue of Waikato dives over to score a try during the NPC quarter-final against Wellington. Photo / Photosport
Pita Anae-Ah Sue of Waikato dives over to score a try during the NPC quarter-final against Wellington. Photo / Photosport
Waikato almost pulled off an outrageous comeback but came up short, going down 32-28 to the Wellington Lions at Sky Stadium in a Bunnings NPC quarter-final.
Wellington’s first points came after Waikato were penalised in their own half for not releasing in the tackle.
Pivot Aidan Morgan was successful withthe penalty shot at goal from 40m out, giving the home team a 3-0 lead after four minutes.
Wellington extended their advantage to eight when Julian Savea went over in the right-hand corner.
The Mooloo men were penalised for a high tackle and Billy Proctor took a quick tap, catching Waikato off guard on defence, and Savea went in to score the first try of the match. Morgan was unsuccessful with the conversion.
Taha Kemara took over the kicking duties and was successful with the conversion to make it 32-21 with 17 minutes remaining.
Waikato made it a four-point game with six minutes remaining, after being awarded a penalty in Wellington’s half.
Te Awamutu Sports hooker Sean Ralph was able to score from the back of a successful driving maul from the lineout.
Kemara nailed the conversion to set up a grandstand finish.
The Mooloo men threw everything at Wellington in the dying stages of the match. But the Lions were able to force an error and halt an unlikely comeback from Waikato as they fell agonisingly short 32-28 in the capital.
Wellington Lions 32 (Julian Savea, Riley Higgins, James O’Reilly, Du’Plessis Kirifi tries; Aidan Morgan 3 conversions, 2 penalties)
