Waikato have booked themselves a home Championship final against Otago in the Mitre 10 Cup after beating Northland 48-26 at FMG Stadium Waikato in the semi-final.

The visitors struck very early in the match after Northland sliced through the Waikato defence and halfback Sam Nock took an offload to score under the posts. Jack Debreczeni was successful with the conversions and Northland lead 7-0 after 3 minutes.

Waikato did answer back through Samisoni Taukei’aho 12 minutes later. Taukei’aho took his try scoring season tally to 9 when he crossed the line, like he has done most of the season from the back of a driving maul. Fletcher Smith added the extras and the game was all drawn up 7 all.

Northland took back the lead and extended lit with back to back tries from Scott Gregory and Matt Wright scoring. Debreczeni converted both tries and Northland lead 21-7 with 10 minutes remaining in the first half.

Five minutes from halftime, try scorer Sam Nock was sent to the sin bin after a deliberate infringement when Waikato had a scoring opportunity. Waikato took advantage with the extra man, 2 minutes later, when Jack Stratton had no one defending him at scrum time and he dived over for his first try of the season. Smith was successful with the conversion and Waikato were back within 7 points of Northland.

Right on halftime Waikato drew level with Sevu Reece scoring from the set piece. From a scrum 40m out, Waikato shifted it wide into the hands of Reece and he finished off under the posts. Smith added the extras and at the break it was 21 all.

Reece started the second half the way he finished the first by scoring his second try in the corner. Smith nailed the sideline conversion and Waikato hit the front for the first time in the match 28-21 after 2 minutes.

Ten minutes later Smith added 3 more points to the home sides score with a penalty kick at goal to give Waikato a 10 point buffer.

Reece completed his hat trick on 2 minutes later when he intercepted Northland’s ball to score, then midway through the second half he was in for his fourth try of the match taking his season tally to 12. Smith continued his successful day with the boot converting both tries and Waikato had a 38-21 lead after 54 minutes.

James Tucker was shown a yellow card for an infringement close to Waikato’s line. Northland’s Jono Kitto took advantage of the extra man advantage and scored. Wiseguy Faiane couldn’t add the extras and Waikato still had a massive lead with 13 minutes remaining.

Smith kept his 100% kicking success rate intact when he slotted another penalty with only 9 minutes remaining as Waikato stretch their lead to 22 points.

Waikato received their second yellow card when Mitch Jacobson was sent to the sin bin for tackling a man with a minute left on the clock and there would be no chance to the score as Waikato booked themselves a home Championship final was a 48-26 win over Northland.

Waikato 48 (Samisoni Taukei’aho, Jack Stratton, Sevu Reece 4 tries; Fletcher Smith 6 conversions, 2 penalties)

Northland 26 (Sam Nock, Scott Gregory, Matt Wright, Jono Kitto tries; Jack Debreczeni 3 conversions)

Halftime | Waikato 21-21 Northland

Article added: Tuesday 23 October 2018