Waikato have secured themselves a spot in the Bunnings NPC Semi-Finals after beating Otago 27-25 at Rotorua International Stadium in round 10.

In wet conditions it took 15 minutes before the first points were scored by Otago, after Josh Ioane put a grubber kick through for Freedom Vaha’akolo to collect to score. Ioane was unsuccessful with the conversion and Otago led 0-5

With 13 minutes left in the first half Otago flanker, Samuel Fischli was awarded a red card for an elbow to the head of a Waikato player and Otago had to play the next 20 minutes with only 14 players. From the red card, D’Angelo Leuila converted the home team's first points of the evening to make it 3-5.

But Otago extended the lead back to 5 points when Waikato were penalised for not releasing in the and Ioane was successful with the penalty kick to see the visitors leading 3-8 with 8 minutes to play.

Waikato reduced the visitors lead to 2 points again after winning a penalty from a massive push at scrum time. Leuila was successful with a penalty shot at goal but the boot of Ioane gave the home team their 5 point advantage again with only 2 minutes remaining in the first half.

However the Mooloo’s would go into the half time break with the lead, after a quick tap from Rhys Marshall, he would flick the ball to James Thompson to score in the corner. Leuila added the extras and Waikato were on top 13-11 at the break.

Again Otago would open the scoring with Vaha’akolo scoring his second of the match to put the visitors back in front. Ioane would add the extras from the sideline and it was 13-18 after 7 minutes.

Ryan Tongia’s try would draw the game level at 18 all 15 minutes into the second half and Leuila boot would put the home team back in front.

Otago would take back the lead again when Matt Faddes stepped his way over the try line to score. Ioane again was successful with the conversions and Otago led 20-25 with 16 minutes to play.

The seesaw battle continued when Waikato took back the lead with 8 minutes remaining in the game. After a strong run from Leuila he would find James Tucker to score next to the posts. Leuila would convert the try and Waikato had a 2 point lead over the visitors.

That 2 point lead would be enough and Waikato would hold on to score a home Semi-Final next weekend in the Bunnings NPC Premiership against Canterbury at Rotorua International Stadium next Saturday night.

Waikato 27 (James Thompson, Ryan Tongia, James Tucker tries; D’Angelo Leuila 3 conversions, 3 penalties)

Otago 25 (Freedom Vaha’akolo 2, Matt Faddes tries; Josh Ioane 2 conversions, 2 penalties)

HT 13-11

Article added: Monday 08 November 2021