The term 'punching above their weight' took on great significance for Northland in the clash against Waikato and the visitors did just that beating Waikato 29-27 at Hamilton's Waikato Stadium.
Wearing black armbands in honour of Northland rugby stalwart Bill Kini who died, aged 75, on Thursday the Taniwha belied their 'Championship' status in the crossover match against 'Premiership' favourites Waikato by confronting last year's ITM Cup finalists with a combination of pace, resolve and 'in your face' aggression.
The boxing analogy couldn't be more apt given that the irrepressible Kini was an outstanding heavyweight boxer, originally from Southland, who won a silver medal at the 1962 Empire and Commonwealth Games and then gold in 1966 and was the masseur come strapper for Northland over many years and permanent fixture within the team.
This game was about the heavyweights Waikato taking on the middle-weights Northland but the Taniwha hit hard early on and despite being on the ropes hung around to frustrate their more fancied opponents before landing a knockout blow in the form of try to livewire flanker Dan Pryor converted by the classy Ash Moeke right on the final bell.
But as with many fights both teams went punch for punch during the game.
Rene Ranger – Northland's co-captain with lock Bryce Williams – played a major role on attack and defence for the visitors while second-five Derek Carpenter was rock solid in the midfield.
Northland fullback Faatonia Autagavaia set the scene early on with some audacious play in the first stanza but it was a solid build-up from the Waikato pack wth Ben May showing his strength that culminated in blindside flanker Matt Vant Leven scoring the game's opening try. Trent Renata converted to take Waikato to a 7-3 lead after eight minutes.
Northland hit straight back through the blockbusting Autagavia who scored his team's opening try after scything through the Waikato defence to pass to the ever present Rene Ranger who drew the last man to pass back to the fullback. Moeke missed the conversion but Northland had the 8-7 lead.
Waikato's tactic of slowing down the tackled ball resulted in another penalty where serial offender Chris Middleton was penalised. Moeke goaled to give Northland the 11-7 lead
A Sam Christie kick into the corner saw hooker Marcel Cummings-Toone rumble over for his first try in the Waikato colours following a concerted drive from five metres out from the Northland line. Renata added the extras and Waikato moved into clinical mode leading 14-11.
A cynical hand in the ruck by Ben May saw Moeke goal from 45m to tie the game up seven minutes before the break.
Following the heavy loss to Otago the Northland players focussed on not giving away penalties and they only conceded their first penalty after 35 minutes when prop Matt Wallis infringed. From out in front Renata goaled to see Waikato take a 17-14 lead into the break.
The second half opened with more frenetic roller-coaster action when a loose ball toed forward by winger Matea Malupo after a foot race with Renata was judged to have been scored. The decision was referred to the television match official who awarded the try. Moeke hooked the conversion wide by Northland had the lead 19-17.
Pressure from Rene Ranger resulted in another Waikato infringement from which Moeke goaled. 22-17.
After 15 minutes in the second half Waikato first-five Sam Christie held back Northland flyer and former England sevens star Dan Caprice who was waiting for a pass form halfback and Tonga international Samisoni Fisilau. Christie was duly presented with a yellow card. This could have been the defining moment for game but Waikato rolled up the collective sleeves and fought hard with their man in the bin.
From then on it was a slug fest with punch and counter-punch.
Declan O'Donnell capitalised on some tiring Northland defence to cross for Renata to convert to make it 27-22 with seven minutes to go.
But showing incredible self-belief Northland – on the back of a penalty – kicked for the line, won the lineout and rumbled over for Pryor to deliver the knockout punch, and Moeke to convert from wide out resulting in a remarkable 29-27 victory.
Scorers:
Waikato 27 (Marcel Cummings-Toone, Matt Vant Leven, Declan O'Donnell tries; Trent Renaga 3 con, 2 pen) Northland 29 (Dan Pryor, Mateo Malupo, Faatoina Autagavaia tries; Ash Moeke con, 4 pen). HT: 17-14
