Waikato secure final spot in thriller

All Blacks discard Liam Messam has sent the All Black coaches a memo on his abilities as he helped Waikato secure a thrilling 26-19 victory over Auckland to secure a place in the ITM Cup Premiership final.

Pass It On Tweet 1

Despite dominating in the scrums, Waikato's inability to finish their opportunities almost finished their season off. But Messam's influence, and first five-eighths Stephen Donald's guidance, saw the side life their game and take the match against their highly fancied opponents.

Auckland's season, meanwhile, has ended short of the final in what was Joe Rokocoko's final match for the province.

Sitting atop the Premiersihp table on 33 points, Waikato evaded the challenge of Taranaki (27), who would have secured second place had they secured a bonus-point victory over Hawkes Bay.

The teams observed a moment of silence to commemorate legendary sportscaster Graeme Moody, after he died whilst surfing in Australia earlier in the week.

Waikato had the majority of the possession early in the first half, but they were unable to penetrate a solid-looking Auckland defense.

Despite a lack of ball, it was the visitors who had the first points of the game, after Anscombe converted a penalty to give Auckland a 3-0 lead.

Eventually, however, holes began to emerge for the visitors. The rampaging Messam found a half-gap, before popping a pass to Save Tokula, who offloaded to Jackson Willison to score. Donald duly converted to give Waikato a three-point lead.

Anscombe replied with a penalty, but any hopes of a halftime lead were extinguished when Messam made a line break before offloading to captain Nathan White before the burly prop offloaded to fullback Renata, who converted his own try to extend the side's lead to 14-6.

Anscombe then had three further chances to reduce the lead to five. After setting hearts aflutter by missing the first two, the New Zealand Under 20 goalkicker ensured the visitors were still in the match by converting the third opportunity to decrease Waikato's advantage at halftime.

The visitors were given a grilling at halftime, and it showed as they found a new level of attack. It was Waikato's attack that came into question when Donald stomped on Auckland prop Pauliasi Manu. After some discussion with his assistant, referee Keith Brown showed the outgoing first five-eighths a yellow card.

Auckland cashed in immediately when winger George Moala brushed off two defenders to score beside the posts as his distinctive braided strands of hair flew in the Hamilton breeze.

Auckland then took the lead through Anscombe's conversion as Donald watched on with some regret. That was further emphasised as Anscombe slotted a penalty to extend their lead to five.

Moala's strength in attack was then transformed into defence when the young winger ripped the ball from Waikato No.8 Alex Bradley over the tryline to ensure Waikato didn't snatch the lead back.

Bradley was almost given an immediate reprieve when he was tackled almost short. Then, in a move that epitomised Waikato's luck, some quick ball to the wing looked to have gifted the home side a try only for Tim Mikkelson to drop the ball with the line in sight.

But Waikato's pressure continued as Donald fought off three defenders to score an important try for the hosts, and when Renata converted the try the hosts were back in front 21-19 with 20 minutes to play.

Auckland were virtually starved of possession, instead needing to make more tackles as Waikato searched for their bonus-point try that would guarantee them a place in the final. But the visitors' defence stood tall as they went searching for four points of their own.

Waikato's discipline eluded them after two quick penalties allowed Anscombe the opportunity to give the lead back to the visitors. Thankfully for the hosts, Anscombe's kick was to the right of the posts and Waikato's slim 21-19 lead was retained.

It was end-to-end play as the final whistle, and the cowbells, sounded throughout Waikato Stadium, but Waikato continued their search for that bonus point try. Then, almost to the script Donald skipped through three defenders to plant the ball over the line and ensure his swansong would fittingly be at provincial rugby's showpiece.

Waikato 26 (Stephen Donald 2, Jackson Willison, Trent Renata tries; Trent Renata 2, Stephen Donald con) Auckland 19 (George Moala try; Gareth Anscombe con, 4 pen)

HT: 14-9.