Bay run out of steam against Auks
Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:29
Auckland had to pull out all the stops to overcome a determined Bay of Plenty side 25-20 in their Air New Zealand Cup clash in Rotorua on Friday.
Auckland captain Ben Atiga called the result over the Steamers an "ugly win", but there was much to admire in how his injury-ravaged side triumphed after looking out for the count at half-time.
It was a singularly dramatic win, and at the end of this season may well stand out as the turning point for the Auckland players.
Young men, seemingly unsure of their place in the vastness of Auckland's 125 years of history, have over the last two weeks made a huge statement about what it means to them to wear the blue and white jersey.
Bay of Plenty went into the game in the rare position of popular favourites after five wins from their six games and comfortably positioned in the top four. The Steamers had scored a rollicking 21 tries to Auckland's nine in 2008.
No surprise therefore that Auckland arrived in the sulphur capital of the world with their confidence not in tatters, but certainly dented after some average performances so far this season. Nothing short of a win would give Auckland the confidence to kick on and push for a play-offs spot.
The clash between the loose forwards was always going to be critical.
Bay of Plenty's captain Tanerau Latimer has been nothing short of outstanding this year, and his clash against Daniel Braid was eagerly anticipated. Incidentally, Braid is the last All Black to attend Tauranga Boys' College and Latimer is another proud old boy who may well be the next.
Braid's younger brother Luke, also from that school and a NZ Under-20 player this year, made his first start for the Steamers.
Colin Burke played his 50th game for Bay of Plenty and the multi-talented No.8 has been in supreme form this season. His debut for the Steamers came in 2004, when the Ranfurly Shield was won by the Bay for the first time ever, in an epic encounter at Eden Park.
To the game then and the first half could scarcely have gone any worse for Auckland.
Three key players suffered injury, and Stan Haukinima was sin-binned late in the stanza. Daniel Braid (left ankle damage), Joe Rokocoko (hamstring) and Lachie Munro (dislocated shoulder) all departed in the first 30 minutes, as Bay of Plenty took advantage to lead 13-3 at the break.
The injuries may well see all three players unable to front in next week's Ranfurly Shield defence against Wellington, and put unprecedented pressure on the union's playing resources.
But the players who replaced them had superb games, in particular Onosa'i Auva'a and Grayson Hart.
Scrumhalf Hart took over from Taniela Moa, who moved to flyhalf after Munro's injury. Auva'a replaced Braid, and Rokocoko's cousin Watisone Lotawa moved onto the left wing.
Burke scored a classic No.8's try from a scrum, as his leg speed and strength were too much for the flimsy Auckland blindside defence, and with Mike Delaney kicking all his opportunities the home side looked very assured at the break.
Half-time thoughts were when the going gets tough, the tough get going - to coin a well-worn phrase appropriate on this occasion. If Auckland could somehow get out of this game, then their season was still alive, but it would take one hell of an effort and some long overdue good fortune to get there.
The second spell started well. Wing David Smith finished off a fine move to kick start the second spell in style, from a sweeping movement that began with a classic turnover from Auva'a 50 metres upfield.
Captain Ben Atiga couldn't add the extras but at 8-13 Auckland were back with a vengeance.
Auckland smiles turned too pure joy five minutes later when big prop Paea Fa'anunu crashed over to even the scores. The move began with a sparkling break from Hart, and some excellent support play from the Auckland team.
The Steamers fought back with a typically spectacular long-range effort that captain Latimer finished off. Delaney converted to put the Steamers back in front 20-13 with 23 minutes left to play.
Auckland, however, showed some true class and assurance to score again through Auva'a, who was making a real impact off the bench.
Atiga converted to tie up the entertaining contest.
Into the last few minutes the game was in the balance but Auckland looked more likely to nick the points with Smith and Auva'a standing out.
The key moment came with seven minutes left, and it was those two players who won the game for Auckland.
Smith hacked a speculator ahead out of nothing and Auva'a showed his top-end speed to win the race and score his second try of the game, and perhaps the most important try of his life. It was a great moment, well-deserved for a team under the most intense adversity.
The Steamers imitated Southland from last week with a sustained period on attack to the final whistle but Auckland held on for a gutsy win.
They recorded two notable firsts for the season - their first away win and first bonus point.
Two weeks of desperate defence and courage has given this young team belief they can emulate their more famous predecessors, and you would not want to bet against them next week, when Wellington travel to Eden Park expecting to win and take the Ranfurly Shield home with them.
Plaudits to coaches Shane Howarth and Mike Casey for the half-time messages and gameplan that worked so well in the second spell.
All the players played their part, no question of that. Taniela Moa played over 40 minutes at No.10 instead of scrumhalf and looked the part, but Onosa'i Auva'a was a revelation.
Desperately unlucky to be a bench player with All Black Braid the starting openside flank, Auva'a is a quality player with scorching pace and may well play a key role against Wellington next week if Braid is not fit.
Scorers:
For Bay of Plenty:
Tries: Burke, Latimer
Cons: Delaney 2
Pens: Delaney 2
For Auckland:
Tries: Auva'a 2, Smith, Fa'anunu
Con: Atiga
Pen: Munro
Teams:
Bay of Plenty: 15 Zar Lawrence, 14 Lance MacDonald, 13 Cory Aporo, 12 Nigel Hunt, 11 Jason Hona, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Ruki Tipuna, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Tanerau Latimer (captain), 5 Culum Rettalick, 4 John Moore, 3 James McGougan, 2 John Pareanga, 1 Joe Savage.
Replacements: 16 Dean Elmiger, 17 Matt Wallis, 18 Josh Katene, 19 Aiden Kuka, 20 Josh Hall, 21 Kelly Haimona, 22 Toby Arnold.
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 Dean Budd, 5 Jay Williams, 4 Stan Haukinima, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Paea Fa'anunu.
Replacements: 16 Pauliasi Manu, 17 Nick White, 18 Anthony Elisala, 19 Onosa'i Auva'a, 20 Grayson Hart, 21 Winston Stanley, 22 Watisoni Lotawa.
Referee: Josh Noonan
Television match official: Kelvin Deaker
With thanks to aucklandrugby.co.nz
