North Harbour make meal of Mooloo
Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:33
North Harbour broke their winless streak with a hard fought 15-10 Air New Zealand (NZ) Cup win over Waikato at Albany on Sunday, moving them up to ninth position on the tournament table.
Both teams scored two tries apiece, with a conversion and a penalty by the influential Gopperth proving the only difference by adding an extra five points for the hosts.
Gopperth's Waikato counterpart Stephen Donald, back from All Blacks duty, scored a well executed try in the first half and helped create the second for wing Tim Mikkelson in the second half - though did look a little rusty at times after recent weeks of minimal game time.
Gopperth too however, played a major part in both his side's tries.
While scrumhalf Chris Smylie and lock Anthony Boric - also back from international duty - were outstanding for North Harbour, it was wing Viliame Waqaseduadua who deserves all the credit.
Waqaseduadua made a number of dangerous line breaks, with his final effort of the game - after Smylie had made the initial thrust - rewarded with a try after Gopperth ducked down the blindside to offload to Richard Mahew.
Waikato, fielding a new front row in the absence of injured regulars Nathan White (back), Craig West (pelvis) and Aled de Malmanche (ribs), struggled in the set pieces.
All Black Sione Lauaki had somewhat of a mixed game, much to the dismay of Waikato supporters.
The big No.8 produced a number of his trademark runs, though was well off the pace in defence, allowing Gopperth to run round him to set up Harbour's first try - scored by Anthony Tuitavake in the 35th minute.
North Harbour's 10-5 lead at the break was cancelled out after Waikato pounded away at the Harbour line at the restart, as Donald slipped a pass to Mikkelson who was untouched as he crossed at the right corner.
Waikato, also searching for their first win of the competition after two losses and a draw, were held at bay by sound Harbour defence after Mayhew's try - his second in two games.
Waikato lock Toby Lynn put on a desperate fight - supported well by loose forwards Liam Messam and Faifili Levave - to get that elusive win, but were held emphatically by Harbour.
Scorers:
For North Harbour:
Tries: Tuitavake, Mayhew
Con: Gopperth
Pen: Gopperth
For Waikato:
Tries: Donald, Mikkelson
Teams:
North Harbour: 15 Hayden Abercrombie, 14 Viliame Waqaseduadua, 13 Nafi Tuitavake, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Josh York, 10 Jimmy Gopperth (captain), 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Viliame Maafu, 7 Robbie Colhoun, 6 Tom Chamberlain, 5 Martin Purdy, 4 Chris Smith, 3 Michael Reid, 2 James Hinchco, 1 James Afoa.
Replacements: 16 James Parsons, 17 Sam Biddles, 18 Richard Mayhew, 19 Malakai
Ravulo, 20 Matt France, 21 Jon Elrick, 22 Jerome Smith.
Waikato: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Tim Mikkelson, 13 Jackson Willison, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Malcolm Barnes, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Liam Messam (captain), 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Kevin O'Neill , 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Toby Smith, 2 Vern Kamo, 1 Hikairo Forbes.
Replacements: 16 Ole Avei, 17 Josh Hohneck, 18 Kent Fife, 19 Matt Blain, 20 Josh Sutherland, 21 Roimata Hansell-Pune, 22 Dwayne Sweeney.
Referee: Matt Stanish
TMO: Ben Skeen
