Auckland triumph in Ranfurly rumble
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 09:28
The Ranfurly Shield remains in Auckland hands, after wing David Smith scored the only try in their error-ridden 13-9 Air New Zealand (NZ) Cup victory over Southland at Eden Park on Saturday.
Southland will reflect on the game with disappointment, as a host of scoring opportunities went amiss.
The visitors arrived with purpose, but lacked enough attacking variety or the edge needed to lift the Shield.
The Stags did however secure ample possession, especially through their rock solid scrum and line-out, where locks Hoani MacDonald and Josh Bekhuis contested well against Auckland's Jay Williams and replacement lock Stanley Haukinima.
But too many passes went astray for Southland, the most criminal just five minutes before full-time, when ball to hand would surely have seen the try scored.
Southland geared up in the last six minutes after a Blair Stewart penalty, but it was all too little, too late.
Auckland played minimalist rugby with fewer errors, forcing Southland to take all the risks.
With not much in it during the first half, the score sat at a 6-6 deadlock at half-time.
In a game of few opportunities for either side, a charge down off a Blair Stewart clearance created a vital break for the Shield holders and set the game alight.
The ball was then moved to the left off the ensuing ruck, where superior numbers saw wing David Smith score the crucial try, while flyhalf Lachie Munro added a superb conversion from the sideline.
Southland secured the ball from the restart and moved in on the Auckland line, when replacement scrumhalf Scott Cowan looked to have scuttled through to score the try off a five-metre scrum.
But alas, television match official (TMO) Brent Murray ruled he had knocked the ball on. Despite the perfect conditions, handling errors plagued the first half for both teams.
The stags had an early chance after Auckland dropped the ball near halfway when attempting to move the ball through their backline. Outside centre Jason Kawau swooped onto the ball and fed his midfield partner Kendrick Lynn, who broke two tackles, and looked headed for the goal-line.
But a desperate ankle tap from the Auckland captain, Ben Atiga, dropped Kawau in his tracks.
After Auckland mounted a succession of drives, a clever downfield kick by Munro created another attacking opportunity off a line-out, but Southland lock Hoani MacDonald secured ball and Southland cleared.
But from the succeeding line-out, flank Daniel Braid secured the ball and set up another stout Auckland drive.
Two successive Auckland scrums resulted in a free kick coming at a collapsed scrum, and prop Paea Fa'anunu looked to have secured a try, but lost the ball going over the line.
Scorers:
For Auckland:
Try: Smith
Con:
Munro
Pens: Munro 2
For Southland:
Pens: Stewart 3
Teams:
Auckland: 15 Jamie Helleur, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Ben Atiga (captain), 12 Benson Stanley, 11 David Smith, 10 Lachie Munro, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Kurtis Haiu, 5 Jay Williams, 4 Chris Lowrey, 3 Nick White, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Paea Fa’anunu.
Replacements: 16 Pauliasi Manu, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Dean Budd, 19 Onosa'i Auva'a, 20 Grayson Hart, 21 Winston Stanley, 22 Watisoni Lotawa.
Southland: 15 Mark Wells, 14 Matt Saunders, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Jason Kawau, 11 Pehi Te Whare, 10 Blair Stewart, 9 Dane Shelford, 8 Hua Tamariki, 7 Tim Boys, 6 Dion Bates, 5 Hoani MacDonald, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Chris King, 2 David Hall, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (captain).
Replacements: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Fai Mika, 18 Daniel Ramsay, 19 Matt
Holloway, 20 Scott Cowan, 21 Willie Rickards, 22 Robbie Robinson.
Referee: Kelvin Deaker
Touch judges: Steve Walsh, Chris Pollock
TMO: Brent Murray
