Waikato have bounced back from last week’s narrow defeat with a dominant performance in the wet against Hawke’s Bay Magpies at FMG Stadium Waikato in round 6 of the Bunnings NPC.

D’Angelo Leuila had himself an evening, scoring a total of 35 points and equalising Bruce Reihana’s single game record, which included four tries.

However the first try of the evening would be scored by Tepaea Cook-Savage. After receiving the ball from a Bailyn Sullivan offload 20 metres out, he would spin out of a tackle and find a gap in the defensive line to score. Leuila added the extras and Waikato had an early lead 7-nil after 7 minutes.

The Mooloo’s second try came from a Gideon Wrampling chip kick, that Leuila would run onto and catch. He then proceeded to break a few tackles to score under the posts. Leuila was successful again with the conversion.

Leuila was in again for his second try four minutes later. After a strong carry from Luke Jacobson, that would draw in two defenders. He would then offload to free up Leuila to run through to score Waikato’s third of the night. He would again convert his own try and Waikato were up 21-nil after 14 minutes.

Midway through the first half, Hawke’s Bay found their way over the tryline with a pick and go close to the line from Danny Toala. However the conversion from Lincoln McClutchie was unsuccessful.

Leuila added another 3 points to the score only minutes later after Hawke’s Bay were penalised in a kickable position, taking the score to 24-5.

Waikato’s bonus point try came in the 30th minute when Malachi Wrampling crossed in the left hand corner from close range. Leuila couldn’t add the extras from the sideline but Waikato’s lead was 24 points.

Leuila completed his hattrick closing in on halftime. With a scrum 5 metres out from Hawke’s Bay line, Malachi Wrampling took it off the back and carried strongly towards the line and with a short pass found Leuila to cross for his third. He again converted his own try and Waikato went into the break with a 36-5 lead.

D’Angelo’s dominance continues on early in the second half. After Hawke’s Bay seemed to have won a turnover close to their line, they then coughed the ball up. Leuila was able to scoop it up and beat six tacklers to score his fourth and probably his best of the night. Another successful conversion taking Waikato out to a commanding lead of 43-5. 

The last points of the evening were scored in the 55th minute. Gideon Wrampling was able to put Bailyn Sullivan into space, Wrampling stayed in support and after Sullivan drew in the last defender, he passed back to Wrampling to score under the posts. Leuila would add the extras capping off his 35 points for the evening.   

Waikato 50 (Tepaea Cook-Savage, D’Angelo Leuila 4, Malachi Wrampling, Gideon Wrampling tries; D’Angelo Leuila 6 conversions, 1 penalty) 

Hawke’s Bay 5 (Danny Toala try)   

HT: 36-5

Article added: Monday 16 September 2024