News

Harbour finally off the mark

August 24 2008

In a desperate game between two desperate sides without a win in the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup competition to date, North Harbour managed to hold out a determined Waikato 15-10 at North Harbour Stadium in Albany on Sunday.

Both teams scored two tries each but it was North Harbour pivot Jimmy Gopperth's penalty and conversion for the hosts that ulitmately proved the difference between the two sides.

Waikato counterpart Stephen Donald, back from All Blacks duties, looked rusty at times after recent weeks of minimal game time. But he scored a well contrived try in the first half and created the other for wing Tim Mikkelson in the second.

His effort was matched by Gopperth, who had a major part in both his side's tries.

While scrum-half Chris Smylie and lock Anthony Boric - also back from international duty - were outstanding for North Harbour, it was winger Viliame Waqaseduadua who deserved all the plaudits.

Waqaseduadua sparked a number of dangerous line breaks and his final effort of the game after Smylie had made the initial thrust, was rewarded with a try after Gopperth ducked down the blindside to offload the ball to Richard Mahew for what turned out to be the winning try in the 60th minute.

Waikato, fielding a raw front row in the absence of regulars Nathan White (back), Craig West (pelvis) and Aled de Malmanche (ribs) struggled in the set-pieces.

They would have hoped for a better performance from All Black Sione Lauaki, but the big number had a mixed game.

Lauaki produced a number of his trademark bullocking runs but was well off the pace in defence, allowing Gopperth to run round him to set up Harbour's first try scored by Anthony Tuitavake after a juggle of the ball in the 35th minute.

North Harbour's 10-5 lead at half-time was cancelled out after Waikato pounded away at the Harbour line from the resumption.

With the Harbour defence stretched, Donald slipped a pass to Mikkelson who was untouched as he crossed at the right corner.

Waikato, searching for their first win of the competition after two losses and a 38-38 draw with Manawatu last weekend, were held at bay by a stout Harbour defence after Mayhew's score - his second try in two games, having scored in the 31-38 loss to Bay of Plenty last weekend.

Waikato lock Toby Lynn tried his best and was supported well by loose forwards Liam Messam and Faifili Levave, but their desperation to get that elusive win was matched by Harbour.

The scorers:

For North Harbour:

Tries: A Tuitavake, Mayhew

Con: Gopperth

Pen: Gopperth

For Waikato:

Tries: Donald, Mikkelson

North Harbour: 15 Hayden Abercrombie, 14 Viliame Waqaseduadua, 13 Nafi Tuitavake, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Josh York, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Viliame Maafu, 7 Robbie Colhoun, 6 Tom Chamberlain, 5 Martin Purdy, 4 Chris Smith, 3 Michael Reid, 2 James Hinchco, 1 James Afoa.

Replacements: 16 James Parsons, 17 Sam Biddles, 18 Richard Mayhew, 19 Malakai Ravulo, 20 Matt France, 21 Jon Elrick, 22 Jerome Smith.

Waikato: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Tim Mikkelson, 13 Jackson Willison, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Malcolm Barnes, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Liam Messam (c), 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Toby Smith, 2 Vern Kamo, 1 Hikairo Forbes.

Replacements: 16 Ole Avei, 17 Josh Hohneck, 18 Kent Fife, 19 Matt Blain, 20 Josh Sutherland, 21 Roimata Hansell-Pune, 22 Dwayne Sweeney.

Referee: Matt Stanish

TMO: Ben Skeen