Waikato still have a shot at playoffs
12th October 2009 02:28PM
By IAN ANDERSON - Waikato Times
Waikato are specialising in leaving things late.
Just as their push for the top four only gained momentum fractionally before it was too late to matter, the Waikato rugby side nabbed an essential five-point win over Otago on Saturday to keep their Air New Zealand Cup title hopes alive.
Waikato's 35-29 win kept them in the congested picture for playoff spots in fifth spot but it took a 79th-minute try from standout winger Tim Mikkelson to clinch victory and at the same time grab a vital bonus point for his side's fourth try.
The visitors should have taken an easier path to victory, but a sometimes ragged kick-chase defence combined with a host of elusive runs from Otago fullback Ben Smith kept the hosts in the Carisbrook contest until Mikkelson sealed the deal to the delight of his team-mates.
Coach Chris Gibbes was thrilled with the five-point haul and believed his side's showing indicated they were peaking at the right time.
"We needed to get the win to keep moving forward," Gibbes said.
"We probably let a few opportunities go but they stuck to the task and that shows that the team is growing."
Waikato will host Northland in Hamilton on Saturday and finish their regular season at home against Auckland the following weekend.
It appears two wins will be the minimum requirement to make the playoffs, with bonus points a possible necessity.
"We've just got to keep winning," Gibbes acknowledged.
"If we continue to focus on getting the performance right, that will take care of the result."
If Waikato play as they did against Otago - minus the odd defensive lapse - they'll give themselves every chance.
The Liam Messam-led side dominated territory and possession, were powerful at scrum time, sharp in their backline, and only some lineout woes stopped them from exerting greater pressure on their hosts.
Centre Jackson Willison got the first of his two tries in the third minute after Messam burst on to a short ball down the blindside but despite monopolising play in the opening 20 minutes, Waikato fell behind when Smith beat Callum Bruce, Jack Lam and Messam on a kick-return to set up Adam Thomson to shrug off Dwayne Sweeney and score.
Willison went over easily on the half hour after Mikkelson's break-out run set up great field position but Smith again cut Waikato to ribbons to set up Karne Hesketh's try and only Stephen Donald's penalty right on halftime put Waikato ahead again 20-19.
Ad Feedback Sweeney's determined chase helped spark a try for prop Hikairo Forbes after 16 minutes of the second half but Smith's try with five minutes remaining made for an edgy finish. Donald's six from seven kicking display was another crucial factor while his opposite Glenn Dickson added 14 points for Otago.
Gibbes had praise for his side's ability to adjust during the game. "What's been fantastic is that (assistant coach) Scott (McLeod) and I haven't had to tell them too much - the boys are problem-solving on the run," Gibbes said.
"We're working hard at nailing the small things. If we get that right, that'll take care of the big things too."
Gibbes said there were no injury concerns from the encounter - "just a couple of dings that'll require a bit of panelbeating".
He'll still have the services of All Blacks Brendon Leonard - who looked sharp and dangerous - Stephen Donald and Aled de Malmance for the clash against Northland, while loose forward Sione Lauaki may also be fit for his return.
AIR NEW ZEALAND CUP
Results after the 11th round of the Air NZ Cup:
At Napier: Hawke's Bay 54 (Zac Guildford 3, Thomas Waldrom 2, Faka'anaua Taumalolo, Jason Shoemark tries; Mathew Berquist 3 pen, 5 con) Counties-Manukau 8 (Simon Lemalu try; Tim Nanai-Williams con). Halftime: 13-8.
At Christchurch: Canterbury 50 (Kieran Read 2, Sam Whitelock, Tu Umaga-Marshall, Corey Flynn, Andy Ellis, Colin Slade, Dan Carter tries; Stephen Brett 5 con) Manawatu 26 (James Goode 2, Aaron James, Tevita Taufui tries; Isaac Thompson 3 con). Halftime: 33-12.
At New Plymouth: Auckland 10 (Onosai Auva'a try; Ash Moeke pen, con) Taranaki 0. Halftime: 7-0. At Albany: North Harbour 28 (Nalu Tuigamala 2, Luke McAlister tries: Mike Harris 3 pen, 2 con) Bay of Plenty 7 (Culum Retallick try; Mike Delaney con). Halftime: 25-0.
At Invercargill: Southland 41 (Glen Horton 3, Jimmy Cowan, Jason Kawau, John Hardie, Jason Rutledge tries; Robbie Robinson 3 con) Tasman 0. Halftime: 7-0. At Dunedin: Waikato 35 (Jackson Willison 2, Hikairo Forbes, Tim Mikkelson tries; Stephen Donald 3 con, 3 pen) Otago 29 (Adam Thomson, Karne Hesketh, Ben Smith tries; Glenn Dickson 4 pen, con). Halftime: 20-19.
At Whangarei: Wellington: 41 (Hosea Gear 2, Tamati Ellison, Ged Robinson, Alby Mathewson tries; Daniel Kirkpatrick 2 pen, 4 con, Fa'atonu Fili con) Northland 7 (Jared Payne try; Lachie Munro con). Halftime: 17-7.
