Waikato came to McLean Park with high expectations on Sunday. They had Stephen Donald back from injury, had pace on the wings in Anesi and Kinikinilau, a great loose forward trio in Messam, Bates and Holah, and a very astute coach in Warren Gatland. Eighty minutes later they walked off McLean Park wondering what the hell just happened.

This Hawke's Bay win was built on character, heart, determination, and an attitude that has not been seen in Hawkes Bay rugby for many a long year. With 10 minutes left in the game Hawkes Bay had no right to win. Waikato had a good lead, had at least a ten point wind at their backs, and was leading significantly in the possession stakes. What they didn't count on was Hawkes Bay ability to turn even a half chance into points, and the never say die attitude of the home side.

Hawke's Bay started the game well, and looked at times as though they could break Waikato open out wide and close in around the rucks and mauls, where Number 8 Grant Webb was simply magnificent. He took the ball forward fantastically well, and made the advantage line when at times the Hawkes Bay scrum looked to be trouble. It is now very easy to see why this man was rated so highly in Otago, and played as many games for the Highlanders as he did.

In the tight five the front row equipped themselves well, with Hika Elliott prancing around the paddock like a young Colin Meads with the ball in one hand, and opposition players being swatted with the other. In the loose Karl Lowe more than matched Marty Holah, and must be coming to the attention of the Super 14 coaches. Bryn Evans celebrated his re-signing with yet another top performance and Micheal Johnson was as always the leader of the caucus. Out back Chris Eaton showed Danny Lees halfback spot is being well looked after. Mathew Berquist continues to show his class, the midfield pairing of Shoemark and Giddens would have to be the best combination in recent memory, and Zac Guilfords pace is simply mind blowing.

For Waikato Messam toiled hard, DeMalmanche scrummed well, Bates managed to get away with a fair bit at ruck time, and Kinikinilau must have wondered how many games do I have to play before I touch the ball.

Hawkes Bay now head to Eden Park for a semi final match up against Auckland on Saturday night.

 

One things for sure I bet they don't die wondering. 

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Hawke's Bay's remarkable Air New Zealand Cup campaign is still alive as a late try earned them a nail-biting 38-35 win over Waikato at McLean Park on Sunday.

It was hard to imagine there could be a more enthralling encounter than the one staged a fortnight ago when the Magpies won 30-26 at the same venue, but in conditions perfect for running rugby, inside centre Sam Giddens' try in the 77th minute sealed a victory that had innumerable twists and turns.

They had looked a forlorn hope after the 2006 champions asserted control in the third quarter, but they just kept the pressure on and it paid off.

Waikato scored the first try through Jackson Willison in the eighth minute of a bright opening stanza after Magpies pivot Matt Berquist had slotted an early penalty.

The Mooloos extended their deserved 8-3 lead from a Stephen Donald penalty close to the uprights after a period of sustained pressure in Hawke's Bay territory paid off.

Berquist missed a penalty attempt straight from the kick-off, but the locals went crazy after a brilliant try from Zach Guildford following a intelligent kick from centre Jason Shoemark.

Berquist, who was struggling with the blustery wind, missed the conversion.

 Donald kicked a second penalty nine minutes out from half-time after another ruck infringement by the Magpies' forwards.

Just as the half was ebbing away from the home team, Chris Eaton chose the perfect occasion to score his first try in the competition, cutting the Waikato defence wide open from 40 metres out and dotting down under the posts to take the home side into the lead.

 Two booming 50m-plus penalties by Berquist helped take Hawke's Bay to a 21-11 lead at half-time.

The visitors though, made the best possible start to the second half and had wiped out the imposing 10-point deficit within six minutes, thanks to another converted Willison try and another Donald penalty.

Hawke's Bay hooker Hika Elliot went close, but Waikato scored a long range try against the run of play as the Bay had comitted literally the whole team to an attacking foray.

Liam Messam gathered in a Hawke's Bay chip and sent Donald on an unopposed 80m run to the try-line.

Waikato had scored 17 points in 11 minutes in a sizzling start to the half.

But Hawke's Bay fought back.

The impressive Jason Shoemark strode through - only to be denied by a desparate last ditch Waikato tackle.

Berquist stopped the flow of Mooloo points with a well-struck penalty before some Donald magic created a hole for Messam to score Waikato's fourth try on the hour mark, which was duly converted by Donald.

Just when Hawke's Bay seemed gone, Israel Dagg replied back with a five-pointer to after strong lead up work by his forward pack.

The McLean park faithful sensed something special could be on and with just three minutes remaining Giddins burst through from a backline move 40 metres out, sold a huge dummy to the Waikato full-back Dwayne Sweeney and dotted down next to the posts.

Berquist added the conversion and Hawke's Bay hung on for the last three minutes to seal a famous victory.