Otago too good for Wellington
<BR>26/08/2005 NZPA
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<BR>Otago confirmed their status as Wellington\'s Air New Zealand NPC nemesis in the capital tonight, with a 26-10 victory that left last year\'s beaten finalists\' 2005 campaign in disarray.
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<BR>It was Otago\'s third consecutive Air New Zealand NPC victory in Wellington after successes in 2001 and 2003, and they retained their coveted Mike Gibson Memorial Trophy which seems to lift their performance another notch.
<BR>Built around a dominant forward pack led by lock Filipo Levi and a standout loose forward trio of Craig Newby, Josh Blackie and Grant Webb who forced turnovers, their defensive wall denied Wellington\'s dangerous backs any chances.
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<BR>Wellington were held scoreless until the 79th minute when fullback Shannon Paku crossed out wide for a consolation try.
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<BR>Otago needed just a try in each half and a perfect goalkicking effort from Nick Evans, six for six for a personal tally of 16 points.
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<BR>Wellington\'s best period was a polished opening 10 minutes when Jimmy Gopperth dropped the ball over the line in the left-hand corner then put them 3-0 up with a penalty from in front.
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<BR>But Otago dominated the rest of the half with Levi a prominent figure and second five-eighth Seilala Mapusua a constant danger on attack.
<BR>A Levi break led to Evans\' opening penalty to level the scores in the 10th minute, then a clinical buildup saw the only try of the half after 20 minutes.
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<BR>Several phases of forward drives and slick passing saw wing Matt Saunders tackled just short before halfback Chris Smylie was driven over under the posts.
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<BR>Evans converted from in front and added penalties in the 32nd and 37th minutes to give the visitors a handy 16-3 halftime lead.
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<BR>Things got worse for the hosts when Smylie burst down the blind side from a ruck and found the powerful Saunders who broke Gopperth\'s tackle and dived over the left-hand corner.
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<BR>Evans\' sideline conversion gave Otago a 23-3 lead in the 48th minute.
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<BR>Wellington\'s fate was sealed with 20 minutes left when livewire flanker Ben Herring was yellow carded by referee Bryce Lawrence for persistently killing the ball.
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<BR>Evans\' penalty from in front stretched it to 26-3 and it was all over.
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<BR>For Wellington, struggling without their All Blacks, things only get tougher next weekend with a trip to Hamilton to play Waikato on Friday.
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<BR>Scorers:
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<BR>Otago 26 (Chris Smylie, Matt Saunders tries; Nick Evans 4 pen, 2 con)
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<BR>Wellington 10 (Shannon Paku try; Jimmy Gopperth pen, con). Halftime: 16-3.
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<BR>Harbour & Canterbury do it again
<BR>27/08/2005 allblacks.com
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<BR>Caleb Ralph - Fotopress
<BR>After coming up 43-points even last year, North Harbour and Canterbury again kept their respective Air New Zealand NPC fans on the edge of their seats in Albany this afternoon... battling their way to a 23-all draw.
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<BR>In a match that saw a standout two-try performance from North Harbour centre Anthony Tuitavake, the unshakable boot of Canterbury fullback Ben Blair kept his team in touch.
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<BR>The draw now leaves Waikato poised at the top of the Air New Zealand NPC points table.
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<BR>Earlier, despite possessing home advantage, laboured play from Harbour allowed Canterbury to initially dominate the match - lock Kevin O’Neill the first over the line in the 5th minute. Fullback Blair converted.
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<BR>No 10 Tusi Pisi responded for the locals with a penalty.
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<BR>A rising penalty count and unforced errors ensured the visitors took their foot further of the pressure-pedal, before a smashing ball n’ all tackle from Harbour\'s Tuitavake created the turnover that culminated in flanker Tom Harding scoring a fine try.
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<BR>8-7 and North Harbour held a one-point lead as the first quarter drew to a close. Pisi had several opportunities to extend that margin but failed to find the posts. Instead, Christmas came early for the Cantabs as Harbour No 8 Nick Williams popped up a pass 6m out from his own line... right into the waiting mitts of opposition first-five Cameron MacIntyre.
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<BR>McIntyre ran centre Casey Laulala in for the softest of tries. Again, Blair converted before Pisi found his kicking feet, landing his second penalty.
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<BR>Halftime score: 14-11 Canterbury
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<BR>Blair opened the scoring in the second 40 before Tuitavake got involved again – hitting the ball at pace for a 47th minute try. The tough-tackling No 13 soon bagged his second on the back of a break from hard-working flanker Harding.
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<BR>A long period of tense and at times loose play followed before Blair kept his 100% kicking record intact with a penalty twelve minutes from time, closing the gap to three at 23-20 North Harbour.
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<BR>He levelled the scores shortly afterwards.
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<BR>After missing a conversion out in front, replacement Harbour No 10 Jon Elrick had the chance to put his side in front from 40m out, but his 77th penalty was the homeside’s second of the day to ricochet off the uprights.
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<BR>Harbour continued to press as the seconds ticked away, but couldn’t hold onto possession.
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<BR>Final score: 23-all.
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<BR>Scorers
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<BR>Canterbury
<BR>Tries: Kevin O’Neill, Casey Laulala. Conversions: Ben Blair (2). Penalties (3)
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<BR>North Harbour. Tries: Tom Harding, Anthony Tuitavake (2). Conversions: Tusi Pisi. Penalties: Pisi (2).
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