1995 NPC Results: week 9
From: Paul Waite
NZ NPC
RUGBY IN 1995 _________________________________________
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THE NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP
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This article features short reports, news,
and results from NPC matches played in New Zealand
for the weekend of 30th-1st October, 1995
HEADLINES
~~~~~~~~~
Wellington ended their season with a whimper as they went down 33-8 to
a Counties side which denied them the ball, and possesses two of the
best wingers in the NPC in Joeli Vidiri and Jonah Lomu.
Southland went down 12-13 at home to a determined King Country side in
a match which was to determine which side dropped to the second division
next season. King Country scored the only try of the match.
North Harbour roasted Otago on the spit to the tune of 60-24 away at
Otago's home ground of Carisbrook. This result and Auckland's win mean
that they get into the top four and the NPC semi-finals.
Auckland defended their newly won Ranfurly Shield succesfully 26-17
against a gutsy Waikato side in rain-soaked conditions at Eden Park.
MATCH REPORTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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### DIVISION 1 ####################################################
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WELLINGTON 8 COUNTIES 33 Half-time: 8-11
at Wellington
Wellington tries: A Talea
kicks: J Preston(1 pen)
Counties tries: J Vidiri(2), P Alatini, J Lomu
kicks: D Love(2 conv, 3 pen)
Counties took a leaf out of the WWII Battle of Britain book yesterday
and went with the Big Wing concept to crush Wellington decisively.
Fijian speedster Joeli Vidiri, only slightly smaller than Superstar
Jonah Lomu, upstaged his more illustrious left-field counterpart in
the first half, looking dangerous and scoring a try which owed as
much to slack defence as it did to his obvious speed and power.
Leading 11-8 at the halftime whistle Counties had nonetheless made
heavy weather of it, being beaten in second phase play by a Wellington
side eager to look good in their last match of the season and in front
of their home fans.
The second half was a different story, with the Counties forwards
taking almost complete control of possession. When Wellington got the
ball, they looked as dangerous as any team in the competition, but
Counties denied them that luxury, and showed that they have a potent
attacking combination themselves.
Lomu's try came late in the second half, when Counties had already
won the match, Vidiri and fullback Pita Alatini sealing it with
fine tries. It was nevertheless worth waiting for, being a typical
effort along the left touchline handing off one defender after
another until the count of prone bodies rose to no less than 5, and
the goal-line beckoned. The effort brought everyone at the match to
their feet Wellingtonians and Counties supporters alike, applauding
the only man in the world who can perform such a feat as a matter
of course.
Although they have been shown their shortcomings in a rude manner
in the last few games, Wellington are on the right track at last,
and can build on what they have achieved. They have good backs, and
loose forwards, and with the addition of a top class prop or two,
and a couple of good locks they will be competing for a top four
spot next year.
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SOUTHLAND 12 KING COUNTRY 13 Half-time: 3-7
at Invercargill
Southland tries:
kicks: S Culhane(4 pen)
King Country tries: D Anglesey
kicks: M Blank(1 conv, 2 pen)
King Country retained its tenuous hold on first division football
for the fourth season running by virtue of a last minute penalty
goal from Michael Blank in a tense match down South.
Southland and All Black Simon Culhane kicked his side into a 12-10
lead 6 minutes from time with a penalty, and Southland hopes were
sky high. However a clearing kick by Southland halfback Brett
McCormack was charged down and the follow-through from the KC pack
resulted in Simon Culhane being penalised for lying on the ball
to yield the winning penalty attempt.
In assessing the match as a whole, Southland did not deserve to win
it, making too many blunders in their own territory. Having scored
the only try of the match King Country, on the other hand, would
have been unlucky to lose.
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OTAGO 24 NORTH HARBOUR 60 Half-time: 3-14
at Dunedin
Otago tries: J Leslie(2), M Ellis
kicks: J Wilson(3 conv, 1 pen)
North Harbour tries: E Rush, W Little, W Burton, A Strachan, L Barry,
P Lam, S McFarland, Penalty try
kicks: W Burton(7 conv, 2 pen)
Desperate to keep their top-4 hopes alive and well, North Harbour
put in a block-busting performance to totally dominate a subdued
Otago side in front of their Carisbrook fans. The motivation factor
obviously played its part, with Otago already in the playoffs, and
only playing for home advantage.
The platform for the win was laid by a superb display by the Harbour
forwards with the tight five securing a trememdous amount of quality
posession. Added to this was the fine performance from the loose
forwards, the pick of which was Liam Barry, and the backs who forced
Otago into desperate defence time and again.
Otago were still in touch on the scoreboard at halftime, however the
avalanche came down in the second spell. Before 7 minutes of the
half were gone Harbour had added 2 tries; a pushover to No.8 Pat Lam,
and an excellent run in by Liam Barry after good work by Osborne.
At 28-3, Otago seemed dead and buried.
However Otago captain John Leslie scored from an attacking scrum to
briefly raise hopes of a comeback. This was quashed by a couple of
Burton penalties to restore the Harbour lead, before Burton touched
down himself at the 60 minute mark. Two more to Little and hooker
McFarland added to the Carisbrook misery, and Ant Strachan finished
off the scoring, going over in a tackle after linking up with flanker
Willie Lose.
Leslie scored another try, as did Marc Ellis to add a measure of
minor respectability, but it didn't have any relevance.
Frank Bunce was carried off late on with what was described as a
bad tear to his groin muscles, and may miss the semi-final clash
at Eden Park.
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AUCKLAND 26 WAIKATO 17 Half-time: 13-10
at Auckland
Auckland tries: M Carter, L Stensness
kicks: A Cashmore(2 conv, 4 pen)
Waikato tries: W Warlow, A Hopa
kicks: E Martin(1 conv, 1 pen)
Waikato put in a gutsy Ranfurly Shield challenge against new holders
Auckland on a rain-soaked Eden Park, and although they lost, came
out of the match with a great deal of credit.
One of the stars of the match for Waikato was Aaron Hopa, a 23 year
old No.8 who had only 2 previous games under his belt before being
brought in as a replacement for the injured Deon Muir. His hard
tackling and hustling approach forced Auckland into many errors early
on, and he climaxed his game with a late try, pouncing on the ball
from a lineout 5m from the Auckland line, as it skidded around on the
rain-soaked pitch.
Waikato went out to a 10-3 lead within the first 10 minutes of the
game, but then failed to score again for a further 40 minutes.
In what were occasionally deluge conditions, it was never going to
be easy for either side, but of the two Waikato adapted the better
when running the ball. For Auckland the kicking of first 5/8 Carlos
Spencer and fullback Adrian Cashmore kept Waikato back, especially
in the second half.
Mark Carter scored a first half try which was allowed despite Auckland
halfback Tu Nu'uali'itia looking like he was offside around the scrum
just before he went over.
Auckland led 13-10 at the start of the second half, and with Cashmore's
boot proving accurate despite the conditions, they never really looked
to be in trouble from then on.
Carlos Spencer put up an excellent high kick from a lineout, and
fullback Eugene Martin dropped his attempted catch for Lee Stensness
to gather and score, extending them to a comfortable 26-10.
Waikato kept on attacking, and produced Hopa's try, but were never
really in contention.
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### DIVISION 2 ####################################################
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TARANAKI 27 BAY OF PLENTY 41 Half-time: 17-19
at New Plymouth
Taranaki tries: N Crowley, A Slater, K Barrett
kicks: J Cameron(1 drop, 3 pen)
Bay of Plenty tries: D Kaui(2), C Bidois, C McMillan, G Remnant,
P Tupai
kicks: A Miller(4 conv, 1 pen)
Bay of Plenty earned itself a home semi-final after beating Taranaki
at New Plymouth yesterday.
The home side were outplayed up front with big lock Mark Camp, No.8
Clayton McMillan, and Glen Remnant masters at lineout time. BOP
capitalised on the ample posession to run in 6 tries and play some
exciting rugby.
Early on in the game Taranaki fullback Anthony Callaghan dropped
a high ball, and this was the cue to put them up to him all day.
Two tries came after Callaghan and No.8 Andy Slater fumbled going
for a catch. This unsettled the normally rock solid Taranaki defence,
and the points mounted.
Fullback Damon Kaui went over for two good tries for BOP, however
it was first five-eighth Andy Miller who was the star of the day
with his excellent tactical kicking, and accurate place-kicking.
For Taranaki a try to Andy Slater and a drop-goal to Jamie Cameron
gave them an early 8-0 lead, but from them on it was all Bay of
Plenty, until the final 10 minutes when two Taranaki tries gave the
score an air of respectability.
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NORTHLAND 47 HAWKES BAY 26 Half-time: 21-0
at Whangarei
Northland tries: W Johnston(2), T Monaghan, H Taylor, G Taylor,
N Maxwell, D Te Puni
kicks: Johnston(6 conv)
Hawkes Bay tries: J Karika(2), D Lee, J Cunningham
kicks: J Cunningham(3 conv)
Northland fullback Warren Johnston notched 22 points from a brace
of tries and 6 conversions as his side extended its unbeaten record
to 8 wins yesterday.
Leading 21-0 at half-time, Northland went out further to 40-0 midway
through the second spell before Hawkes Bay came back with a run of
26 points without reply, including 4 tries. In the dying seconds
Northland's replacement hooker Doug Te Puni snaffled a dropped ball
and ran 45 metres for the final try of the game.
Hawkes Bay coach John Phillips, knowing that his side would be
facing Northland again next week in the semi-final, withdrew top
players Jarrod Cunningham, Roger Randle, George Konia, Sila Vaifale,
and captain Dallas Seymour just before kickoff. Randle and Cunningham
later went on as substitutes.
For three-quarters of the match Northland played some enterprising
rugby and capitalised on some Bay errors, then Bay flanker Jeff
Karika sparked his side into scoring mode by running in a superb
try after a protracted buildup.
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MANAWATU 58 SOUTH CANTERBURY 11 Half-time: 23-6
at Palmerston North
Manawatu tries: C Cullen(2), J Holland, C Taylor, P Carroll,
W Furnell, T Deighton
kicks: J Holland(4 conv, 5 pen)
South Canterbury tries: D Hunter
kicks: G Dempster(2 pen)
Manawatu dominated South Canterbury in the set-phase play to win
this match decisively, with exciting fullback Christian Cullen
full of running, and scoring 2 tries.
The tall Manawatu pack led by flanker Chresten Davis won all but
one lineout in the second half, and dominated in the first. The
possession advantage told and by halftime Manawatu were 23-6 up
having played with the wind.
The Manawatu pack took the ball up strongly and then set up the backs,
in particular Cullen and Hemi Anisi out wide. Notable were props
Deryck Rowse and Simon Halford, flanker Duncan Rowe, and No.8 Karl
Williams.
For South Canterbury the best were winger Stephen Todd, five-eighths
Graeme Dempster, and Steve Tarrant.
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MID CANTERBURY 8 WAIRARAPA BUSH 72 Half-time:
at Ashburton
Mid Canterbury tries: J Ellis
kicks: S Middleton(1 pen)
Wairarapa Bush tries: Sullivan(4), Pepperell(2), M Childs, M Berry,
J Kendall, C Berry, Penalty try
kicks: M Berry(7 conv, 1 pen)
Although losing out in the set-pieces, Wairarapa-Bush thrashed Mid
Canterbury in a match where they ran through the opposition midfield
defence at will.
Craig Pepperell and Mark Childs directed play well from the halves,
and on-loan winger Colin Sullivan showed great pace to score 4 tries
and feature in another.
Marty Berry, on good form with his kicking once again, finished up
with 20 points.
For Mid Canterbury, the only impressive back was youngster John
Ellis, playing at fullback, and who tackled like a man possessed
in the face of the onslaught. Up front James Proctor, Barry Baxter,
and Geoff Young all stood out.
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### DIVISION 3 ####################################################
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NORTH OTAGO 29 BULLER 30 Half-time: 13-17
at Oamaru
North Otago tries: M Mikaere, H Hunt, M Blair, G Byrne,
Penalty try
kicks: P Bleach(2 conv)
Buller tries: S Jack, C Scanlon, L Va'Aelua, G Mickell
kicks: A Pratt(2 conv, 2 pen)
Buller managed to hang on to a 1 point advantage in the dying
seconds to win a rapid-paced match yesterday.
North Otago led 12-0 within 5 minutes, but Buller managed to wake
up and come back into contention.
Matt Blair scored to give North Otago a 17-13 lead at the half-time
whistle, but them the home side lost its way just after the restart
when Buller ran in two quick tries to lead 27-17.
A penalty in the 62nd minute made it 30-17 before North Otago
fought back in a thrilling final 20 minutes.
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HOROWHENUA 43 EAST COAST 3 Half-time: 6-3
at Levin
Horowhenua tries: C Tiatia, R Te Tomo, M MacGregor, S Sturmey,
P Sauers
kicks: D Nepia(3 conv, 4 pen)
East Coast tries:
kicks: W Haerewa(1 pen)
Horowhenua thrashed East Coast and booked their place in the 3rd
Division semi-final playoff yesterday.
Coast had the better of the set-piece possession stakes in the first
half an hour, but failed to convert the advantage into points.
Working their way back into the match Horowhenua's Dion Nepia bagged
a 20m penalty to gain his side a 3 point lead at halftime.
In the second 40, Horowhenua were rampant, running in 5 tries to
nil.
A steady rain and a determined Horowhenua defence caused the East
Coast team to make far too many unforced errors, and this was
compounded by its determination to run the ball at all times.
For East Coast lock Ami Naituiyaga and first five-eighth Eli Manuel
shone.
For the home side second five-eighth Riki Te Tomo, winger Shane
Tiatia, and fullback Paul Hirini were standouts on both attack
and defence. In the forwards Rob Turuwhenua put in some hard work
at No.8.
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POVERTY BAY 17 WANGANUI 19 Half-time: 6-9
at Gisborne
Poverty Bay tries: D Andrews
kicks: A Rangihuna(3 pen, 1 drop)
Wanganui tries: J Gutsell
kicks: G Lennox(1 conv, 4 pen)
Wanganui did 'a Houdini' to win against Poverty Bay and gain a
place in next week's NPC semi-final playoff for the 3rd Division
trophy.
A try to opensider James Gutsell, converted by first five-eighth
and captain Guy Lennox a minute and a half into injury time gave
the Wanganui team the 4 points necessary to get them into the
top 4.
The same sides will meet at the same venue next Sunday, however
Poverty Bay should have won the game.
Trailing 6-9 at half-time Bay came back to lead 14-9 within 6 minutes
of the restart and was in the driving seat. They failed to convert
the advantage into points however, and Lennox then narrowed the gap
in the 62nd minute for the visitors.
With time up on the clock it seemed that Bay would put Wanganui out
of the playoffs, but Lennox roused his men for one final effort
and Fijian winger Asalusi Nagicu became the hero of the day when he
set Gutsell up for a try under the posts which levelled the scores
and left Lennox with a simple conversion attempt.
_____________________________________________________________________
WEST COAST 5 THAMES VALLEY 60 Half-time: 0-20
at Greymouth
West Coast tries: P Lamont
kicks:
Thames Valley tries: G Ellis(3), R Taylor(2), D Hazelton(2),
N Manu, C Allen
kicks: D McCallum(6 conv, 1 pen)
Thames Valley made sure of the top semi-final spot by trouncing West
Coast 60 points to a meagre 5 yesterday.
The match, which can be considered a rout, saw Valley dominant in
all phases of play, never letting the home side settle down as it
led by 20-0 at half-time.
Scoring no less than 9 tries, some beautifully worked, Valley turned
on a super performance to which Coast had no answer. Left winger Greg
Ellis scored 3 tries, but was only part of a team effort which
left West Coast gasping.
Centre Noora Manu stood out, but the victory was made by a totally
dominant forward pack led by No.8 and captain Gavin McLiver, with
great support from flanker Carl McDuff, lock Andrew Gibbs and hooker
Dennis Hazelton.
RESULTS TABLES
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NPC DIVISION 1
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P W D L F A Pts
Auckland 8 7 0 1 236 118 29
Counties 8 6 0 2 233 228 25
Otago 8 5 0 3 215 220 22
North Harbour 8 4 1 3 247 159 20
Canterbury 8 4 1 3 259 232 19
Waikato 8 4 0 4 205 206 18
Wellington 8 3 0 5 165 230 13
King Country 8 2 0 6 150 231 8
Southland 8 0 0 8 136 222 6
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NPC DIVISION 2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P W D L F A Pts
Northland 8 8 0 0 351 101 32
Bay of Plenty 8 6 0 2 314 152 25
Taranaki 8 6 0 2 342 191 24
Hawkes Bay 8 5 0 3 242 196 20
Manawatu 8 4 0 4 258 165 19
Wairarapa Bush 8 4 0 4 248 239 16
South Canterbury 8 2 0 6 135 303 9
Nelson Bays 8 1 0 7 115 436 5
Mid Canterbury 8 0 0 8 130 342 1
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NPC DIVISION 3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P W D L F A Pts
Thames Valley 8 7 0 1 306 173 28
Poverty Bay 8 6 0 2 233 156 25
Horowhenua 8 5 0 3 198 152 21
Wanganui 8 5 0 3 184 128 21
Marlborough 8 5 0 3 223 201 20
Buller 8 3 0 5 132 237 12
North Otago 8 2 0 6 182 226 10
West Coast 8 2 0 6 120 212 9
East Coast 8 1 0 7 151 244 6
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NEXT WEEK - SEMI-FINALS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Key: = NPC Division I
+ NPC Division II
# NPC Division III
Sat 7th Auckland = vs North Harbour Auckland
Northland + vs Hawkes Bay Whangarei
Thames Valley # vs Horowhenua Greymouth
Sun 1st Counties = vs Otago Pukekohe
Bay of Plenty + vs Taranaki T.B.A.
Poverty Bay # vs Wanganui Gisborne
Well, what a mouth-watering prospect the North Harbour vs Auckland
match is. Hopefully we will see a true test of the guile of the
North Harbour backs against the awesome grinding power of the
Auckland pack - Beauty vs The Beast. I'll stick my neck out here
and predict a Harbour win, by a good margin. :)
Counties at home to Otago is also a nice prospect, and I'll predict
an Otago win here, simply because they are now quite happy when
playing away from Carisbrook, and will want to win after that
awful trouncing from North Harbour.
Cheers,
Paul.
--
____________________________________________________________________________
Paul Waite doc@docdevl.actrix.gen.nz
Wellington, New Zealand +64-4-233-1764
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