Northland hooker gets three
Sun, 21 Sep 2008 10:12
Northland hooker Francis Smith scored a hat-trick of tries to help his side to a 35-24 Air New Zealand (NZ) Cup victory over North Harbour at Albany on Sunday.
Northland's win lifted them off the bottom rungs and into 11th position on the tournament ladder, now one ahead of North Harbour.
It was also the first time in 13 years the Taniwha has beaten Harbour, making somewhat of a statement to those calling for their axing from the championship next year.
Northland had a dream start, with Smith effecting a charge down off a Chris Smylie kick to score just 17 seconds after kick-off.
Clever control from flyhalf David Holwell kept Northland on attack, with No.8 Justin Collins and prop Tevita Mailau driving into the 22 metre area with Collins transferring to Smith who scored his second try after nine minutes. Holwell converted both tries.
Both sides lost respective key players - Rudi Wulf for North Harbour Jared Payne for Northland.
But Harbour got the boost they needed when inside centre Mike Harris chipped ahead and centre Nafi Tuitavake raced onto the ball, making good ground on the right.
The ball was then moved to the left, seeing fullback Jack McPhee breaking the line to score with flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth adding the conversion.
However, Gopperth missed a penalty goal attempt after Northland wing Fetu'u Vainikolo shoulder charged flank Jona Tuitoga - Vainikolo was duly sin-binned for his crime.
A charge down by lock Anthony Boric eventually led to Chris Smylie ducking around the side of an ensuing ruck to score.
Tuitavake then slipped a pass to McPhee after a superb break, seeing the fullback score his second try right on the half-time siren to give Harbour a 19-14 lead.
Northland started the second half strongly, seeing Smith get across from a ruck to score his hat-trick try with Holwell's conversion helping Northland regain the lead (21-19).
Six minutes later, a classy take by replacement back Mike Davis set the ball moving, giving it to Rene Ranger who charged at full pace and obliterated the defence to score.
An immaculate Gopperth break set up a Harbour response with wing Josh York crossing for a try.
Northland however had the final say after opting to take a scrum from a free kick in the North Harbour 22 metre area. From a set move it was first centre Derek Carpenter who slid through the gap and scored for Holwell to land his fifth conversion of the afternoon.
Scorers:
For North Harbour:
Tries: McPhee 2, Smylie, York
Con: Gopperth 2
For Northland:
Tries: Smith 3, Ranger, Carpenter
Con: Holwell 5
Teams:
North Harbour: 15 Jack McPhee, 14 Rudi Wulf, 13 Nafi Tuitavake, 12 Mike
Harris, 11 Josh York, 10 Jimmy Gopperth (captain), 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Viliame Maafu, 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Chris Smith, 5 Martin Purdy, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 Michael Reid, 2 James Hinchco, 1 Sam Biddles.
Replacements: 16 James Parsons, 17 James Afoa, 18 Richard Mayhew, 19 Tom Chamberlain, 20 Matt France, 21 Jon Elrick, 22 Jona Tuitoga.
Northland: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Aden Dewes, 12 Derek Carpenter, 11 Fetu Vainikolo, 10 David Holwell,9 James Rodley, 8 Justin Collins (captain), 7 Joel McKenty, 6 John Cocker, 5 Marty Veale, 4 Dan Goodwin, 3 Bronson Murray, 2 Francis Smith, 1 Tevita Mailau.
Replacements: 16 Tyler Ashworth, 17 Jason Hammond, 18 Roy Griffin, 19 Blair Urlich, 20 Brenton Helleur, 21 Ash Moeke, 22 Mike Davis.
Referee: Jonathon White
TMO: Steve Walsh
