Steamers snatch Shield epic
IT'S unlikely Anthony Tahana will ever score a more important try or Glen Jackson will ever play a game to rival this one.
On a day the Steamers forwards were brilliant and the backs outstanding, Tahana's 74th minute try will go down in history as the try that hammered a nail into Auckland's Ranfurly Shield-holding coffin.
Jackson's sublime sideline conversion, though, slammed the coffin into the ground, filled the hole with turf and danced a merry jig on the tombstone.
The 28-year-old first-five scored in every possible way, collecting 23 points from a try, three penalties, three conversions and a drop-goal. In all he kicked for goal eight times, missing only his first attempt.
Incredibly his drop-goal, which put the Steamers into the lead 26-25 with eight minutes remaining, was the product of major confusion.
Halfback Kevin Senio made a sniping run and was taken high on the Auckland 22 but Jackson missed seeing referee Kelvin Deaker put his arm out playing advantage for a Bay of Plenty penalty.
Caught flat-footed from the resulting ruck, Jackson coolly slotted a 30 metre drop-goal, which soared over the crossbar into the terraces.
But it only when approached after the game that Jackson realised a penalty would have been awarded anyway.
“It was slow play - I didn't know he was playing advantage. Was he?'' he queried with an amused grin. “Oh - if I'd known that I probably wouldn't have had the droppy!''
Just two minutes later, outstanding centre Rua Tipoki made a searing break, brilliantly stepping 40m until he was brought down 10m out from the Auckland line.
Jackson was again in the play, looping a long cut-out pass to Tahana on the left wing.
Just over a week ago, Tahana was being stretchered off North Harbour Stadium amid huge concern after injuring his neck in a tackle. He needed substantial tests last week just to clear him to play.
Nothing was stopping him this close to the line, however - not even former All Black and Tauranga-raised flanker Daniel Braid. With a shimmy, Tahana reached around Braid and appeared to slam-dunk the ball on the tryline.
Although his team-mates immediately celebrated, Tahana wasn't sure he'd scored until the television replays had confirmed it.
“I went outside Braid and luckily I put the ball down with enough force,'' Tahana said. “I only knew it was a try when the crowd reacted - I didn't want to look at the replay!''
Jackson knew as soon as he'd struck his conversion it was over.
“The conversion was probably more important for the team - Bay of Plenty have been there before losing to a conversion. The drop-kick got the one-pump (of the arm) but the conversion got the double-pump!''
Minutes later Tahana made a crucial tackle on Auckland wing Brent Ward, bundling him into touch 5m out from the Bay of Plenty line.
Auckland made two crucial errors in the last five minutes - a lineout thrown crooked and a knock-on - and Ward's only further contribution was the penalty at the end of the game to salvage an NPC bonus point.
The kick was taken amid furious discussion from the Auckland ranks, with some players arguing to push for a try.
Indeed, the decision to kick for goal, despite Deaker already having signalled the end of the game, was akin to conceding rugby's greatest provincial prize.
It was an appropriate end for Auckland, a picture of erratic dysfunction for most of the game. Their three tries were the product of individual genius rather than solid teamwork.
The outstanding Tipoki had a hand in all three Steamers tries but his sharp running and poaching skills was complimented by fantastic support play.
After Tony Koonwaiyou had crossed for Auckland's first try, the Steamers hit back when Tipoki stole Auckland possession and zipped up the right-hand touchline.
Good clean ruck ball followed and hooker Aleki Lutui made a surge through Auckland's defence. Jackson made a half-break and when tackled, flipped a ball up to second-five Grant McQuoid who dived over.
Halfback David Gibson darted 30m to score again for Auckland, and they were hot on attack again when Jackson nabbed an intercept 10m out from his own line.
He was caught from behind but Apoua Stewart made a good run on the wing and Tipoki sent flanker Nili Latu through a gap with a superbly timed pass.
With Auckland's defence nowhere, Jackson finished what he'd started by skirting down the wing and running in.
Auckland hit back from 20-15 down at the break when first-five Tasesa Lavea chipped for lively fullback Isa Nacewa to run on to but Jackson kept plugging away.
Bay of Plenty 33 (Grant McQuoid, Glen Jackson, Anthony Tahana tries; Jackson 3pen, 3con, dg) Auckland 28 (Isa Nacewa, Tony Koonwaiyou, David Gibson tries; Brent Ward 3pen, 2con). HT: 20-15.