News

Auckland crash out of Cup

October 05 2008

Auckland's defence of the Air New Zealand Cup is over. The reigning champions crashed out of the competition on the back of a shock 21-13 defeat to Northland at Eden Park on Sunday.

However, the four points for the win were not enough to put the Taniwha into the last eight either meaning Taranaki - who lost to Waikato on Thursday - scraped in and will face Wellington in the capital next weekend.

In the other quarter-finals, Canterbury take on Tasman, Hawke's Bay play Waikato and Bay of Plenty host Southland.

Northland needed a bonus-point win to progress with Auckland needing just one point to crack the top eight.

The hosts were the architects of their own downfall, spurning several try-scoring opportunities late in the second half as the ball was either lost forward or passes went astray with the line begging.

Northland, on the other hand, showed plenty of grit throughout, scrambled well on defence and took their chances at critical times, especially in the first half when they played into a strong wind.

Fetu'u Vainikolo, in his last game for the Taniwha before heading to Otago, was held up over the line in the 12th minute and it took another eight minutes before the deadlock was broken by Auckland wing Joe Rokocoko.

Back in the side after wrist and hamstring injuries, Rokocoko was in the thick of the action for the entire game and was well worth his try which was the result of a good set-piece move from a solid line-out.

Jay Williams tapped down and the ball was flung out to centre Ben Atiga who burst through the gap to send Rokocoko over.

Atiga kicked the conversion and was on target with a penalty in the 26th minute to give Auckland a 10-0 lead.

Northland replied a minute later with a penalty from David Holwell after Grayson Hart was offside at a scrum. But that was quickly scrubbed out by another three-pointer from Atiga to restore the 10-point advantage.

That lead was short-lived, though, when a terrible mistake at the re-start by Auckland saw them turn over the ball deep in their own half and Northland seized their chance to send Blair Urlich in at the corner.

Holwell could not convert but was on target with a long-range drop goal just before the break to leave Northland trailing 13-11 at half-time knowing the wind would be in their favour in the second period.

The visitors were quickly into their stride on the resumption and Rene Ranger was only denied a certain try when he was hauled down by Rokocoko just short of the line.

Northland wasted another opportunity before making it third time lucky in the 52nd minute when a superb pass from Holwell put Jared Payne into space and his angled run saw him outstrip Rokocoko to go over by the posts.

Holwell converted for an 18-13 lead, leaving Auckland's quarter-final hopes in the balance.

The home side were forced into playing catch-up and excellent defence by Northland, coupled with handling errors from Jamie Helleur and Rokocoko under pressure, saw Auckland's chances evaporate.

A penalty on full-time to Ash Moeke was the final nail in the coffin for the 2007 champions.

Next weekend's quarter-finals see Wellington play Taranaki, Canterbury take on Tasman, Hawke's Bay play Waikato and Bay of Plenty host Southland.

The scorers:

For Auckland:

Tries: Rokocoko

Cons: Atiga

Pens: Atiga 2

For Northland:

Tries: Urlich, Payne

Cons: Holwell

Pens: Holwell, Moeke

Drop: Holwell

The teams:

Auckland: 15 Jamie Helleur, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Ben Atiga (c), 12 Benson Stanley, 11 David Smith, 10 Isaia Toeava, 9 Grayson Hart, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Onosa'i Auva'a, 6 Dean Budd, 5 Jay Williams, 4 Stan Haukinima, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tevita Mailau.

Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Chris Lowrey, 19 Peter Saili, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Winston Stanley, 22 Watisoni Lotawa.

Northland: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Fetu Vainikolo, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Aden Dewes, 11 Mike Davis, 10 David Holwell, 9 Brenton Helleur, 8 Justin Collins (c), 7 Joel McKenty, 6 Blair Urlich, 5 Marty Veale, 4 Dan Goodwin, 3 Bronson Murray, 2 Francis Smith, 1 Tony Coughlan.

Replacements: 16 Tyler Ashworth, 17 Jason Hammond, 18 Roy Griffin, 19 John Cocker, 20 James Rodley, 21 Ash Moeke, 22 Derek Carpenter.

Referee: Vinny Munro

TMO: Jonathon White