New Zealand: Big wins for top two

Photo: Lynn Mcconnell/Getty Images/Allblacks.com

Champions Auckland thrashed Otago 62-0 in Auckland. with 12 tries shared between eight players. Only one was converted, but the result massively improved Auckland’s points difference which should be enough to give them a good semi-final draw.

However, Counties Manukau remain top after an arguably even more impressive seven try 37-5 romp over Wellington as their opponents still retain a chance of making the last four. Indeed, it was only Wellington’s second loss of the season – the other being to Auckland in the first week, when they only lost by seven points.

It was never likely to be as close in Pukehoe on Friday evening as the Cup leaders swept to a 20-point lead, with the bonus point wrapped up before half-time.

Canterbury came back from a 14-6 deficit at half-time to sneak an exciting 27-26 win over Waikato, who ended their 2016 campaign in sixth place. Kendra Cocksedge's haul of 22 points – including a conversion and five penalty goals - saw her past 100 points for the season and was just enough to edge the game, despite Waikato scoring four tries to Canterbury’s two. In theory Canterbury could yet be beaten to a place in the last four, but they have such a large points difference advantage that a semi-final place is all but assured.

Their opponents in the final week of the pool phase will be Manawatu, who currently occupy the vital fourth place, remaining three points ahead of Wellington thanks to their 29-24 win over North Harbour in Albany on Saturday. Two tries from Seleica Winiata swept them into a 22-3 half-time lead, retaining their advantage despite a fierce second half fight-back from North Harbour.

Next weekend Counties Manukau and Auckland play-off for the bragging rights that go with winning the league phase unbeaten. Manuwatu will welcome Canterbury to Palmerston North, knowing a win would put them in the semi-finals – and also knowing that rivals Wellington will be entertaining basement team Bay of Plenty, ready to capitalise on any slip-up.

Results

Counties Manukau 37 (Leilani Perese, Arihiana Marino 2, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali 2, Renee Wickliffe, Hazel Tubic tries; Tubic con) Wellington 5 (Acacia Te Iwimate try). HT: 20-0.

Auckland 62 (Fiao'o Fa'amausili 2, Eloise Blackwell 2, Theresa Fitzpatrick 2, Charmaine McMenamin, Charlotte Scanlan 2, Aldora Itunu, Mele Hufanga, Tyla Nathan-Wong tries; Emma Jensen con) Otago 0

Canterbury 27 (Olivia McGoverne, Kendra Cocksedge tries; Cocksedge con, 5 pen) Waikato 26 (Shakira Baker, Honey Hireme, Stacey Waaka, Chey Reti tries; Magali Harvey con; Reti 2 con). HT: 6-14

Manawatu 29 (Seleica Winiata 2, Akosita Kuruyabaki, Sam MacIntosh tries; Krysten Duffill 3 con, pen) North Harbour 24 (Rina Paraone, Briar-Anne McNamara, Pia Tapsell tries; Chelsea Alley 3con, pen). HT: 22-3

Team

P

W

D

L

F

A

BP1

BP2

Pts

Counties Manukau

5

5

0

0

211

30

5

0

25

Auckland

5

5

0

0

217

77

5

0

25

Canterbury

5

4

0

1

202

86

3

1

20

Manawatu

5

3

0

2

131

98

4

2

18

Wellington

5

3

0

2

122

128

2

1

15

Waikato

6

2

0

4

111

121

2

1

11

North Harbour

5

1

0

4

77

154

1

1

6

Otago

5

0

0

5

59

261

1

0

1

Bay of Plenty

5

0

0

5

26

201

0

0

0