Waikato play Auckland in the Graham Mourie Cup (Premiership) final, and Bay of Plenty face Counties Manukau in the Michael Jones Trophy (Championship) final on Wednesday.
Premiership semi-final: Auckland vs Wellington
Auckland made the final for the first time since 2014 after defeating Wellington by a whisker, as a last-play drop-goal attempt by Wellington first-five Sam Fox drifted wide of the target from 25 metres out.
Wellington put together 35 phases as they threatened to pull off a dramatic escape, but Fox’s kick was hurried and wayward, much like Wellington’s start.
Auckland enjoyed 92 per cent of possession in the first 10 minutes and were rewarded when prop Jerry Samania struggled over for a try. The loosehead was busy, making a number of strong carries and defending stoutly.
Down 10-0, Wellington opened their account in the 12th minute when centre Levi Harmon dotted down after a knock-on in-goal by Auckland wing Freedom Vaha’akolo. A quick tap by lock Isaiah Walker-Leawere and a break and offload by Peter Umaga-Jensen also played a hand in the try.
Wellington’s discipline was poor throughout and Oliver Polson and Wiseguy Faiane combined to kick Auckland ahead 16-5.
In the 65th minute, Faiane’s second penalty from a Paddy Carter breakdown infringement ultimately proved telling.
Wellington briefly held the lead at the hour mark, when prop Alex Fidow strained over for a converted try. Five minutes earlier Umaga-Jensen created a try for Losi Filipo when he kicked accurately for the unmarked winger.
Wellington has four NPC players in their squad for this tournament, Auckland zero, yet the former’s mistakes and the latter’s superior physicality was the difference in a tight, scrappy match.
Auckland: 19 (Jerry Samania try; Oliver Polson two penalties, one conversion; Wiseguy Faiane two penalties)
Wellington: 17 (Levi Harmon, Losi Filipo, Alex Fidow tries; Sam Fox one conversion)
Premiership semi-final: Waikato versus Canterbury
Waikato avenged last year’s final defeat to Canterbury by eliminating the defending champions, a blistering start by paving the way for an impressive victory. The Mooloos scored 18 unanswered points in the first 15 minutes, a deficit Canterbury failed to overcome.
The Waikato forwards were quick to impose their authority. In the second minute No.8 Luke Jacobson caught an overthrown lineout and bustled into the Canterbury 22. A few phases later a penalty was earned and first-five Matthew Lansdown converted. Lansdown’s creativity and elusiveness caused constant concern for the Canterbury defence, and the pivot scored a try in each half with his incisive running.
The first try of the match come from a Canterbury error. Waikato centre Antonio Mikaele Tu’u hoisted a kick to halfway, which was fumbled by Canterbury first-five Josh McKay. Mikaele Tu’u snaffled the loose ball and distributed to wing Asipeli Mafuataimi, who burst inside the Canterbury 22. Mafuataimi was ushered towards the touchline by the cover defence, but offloaded to the supporting Sheldon Tovio. A few minutes later, sprightly halfback Caleb Korteweg darted into space from a lineout and set up Lansdown.
Down 18-0 after 16 minutes, Canterbury got on the scoreboard when centre and Captain Braydon Ennor broke 50 metres from a lineout and linked with flanker Tom Christie, who scored his third try of the tournament.
Waikato responded immediately when lock Sam Caird muscled over in the 20th minute.
Down 25-7 at halftime, Canterbury threatened to comeback early in the second stanza as McKay scored a converted try to make it 25-14 and the Red and Blacks enjoyed a sustained assault on the Waikato line between the 45th and 50th minutes. But Waikato adsorbed the pressure and when Landsdown completed his double in the 63rd minute, the contest was over.
The Waikato locks Sam Caird and Shneil Singh were a formidable duo. Hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho had a storming game and openside Du’plessis Kirifi worked tirelessly. For Canterbury, Ennor was a standout and Christie had a solid outing.
Waikato: 32 (Matthew Lansdown two, Sheldon Tovio, Sam Caird tries; Lansdown three conversions, two penalties)
Canterbury: 21 (Tom Christie, Josh McKay, Raymond Nu’u tries; McKay three conversions)
Premiership results
Manawatu 52 – Auckland B 10
Otago 62 – Taranaki 23
Waikato 32 – Canterbury 21
Auckland A 19 – Wellington 17
Division 2 Michael Jones Trophy
Bay of Plenty 31 – Hawke’s Bay 8
North Harbour 36 – Southland 24
Northland 18 – Heartland XV 8
Counties Manukau 22 – Tasman 11
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