Waikato have booked themselves a spot in the playoffs with a gutsy 37-35 win over Canterbury at FMG Stadium Waikato in round 9 of the Bunnings NPC.

The visitors opened the scoring first when Dominic Gardiner crashed over for the first try of the afternoon. Fergus Burke added the extras and Canterbury led 7 nil after 5 minutes.

But Waikato were able to strike back straight away, after Pita Anae-Ah Sue with a pick and go straight up the middle of the ruck, he would offload to Malachi Wrampling in support and he would score Waikato’s first try. Aaron Cruden was unsuccessful with the conversion, so Canterbury continued to lead 7-5 after 7 minutes.

The home team took the lead, 6 minutes later. After a strong run from Gideon Wrampling that saw him break the Canterbury defence, he would find Austin Anderson in support but his offload would go to ground. Tepaea Cook-Savage would get a boot to the loose ball and he would ground the ball just before it went dead. The TMO would confirm the try and Waikato would take the lead for the first time in the match. Cook-Savage would be unsuccessful with converting his own try and the score would remain 10-7.

Waikato would extend their lead at the midway point of the first half. After a solid scrum, Xavier Roe would attack the blindside and link up with Cook-Savage who would draw in the final defender. Cook-Savage’s pass would find Gideon Wrampling and he would score in the corner. Cook-Savage again, wasn't able to add the extras and Waikato led 15-7.

However in the lead up to half time Canterbury would score 2 converted tries via Dallas McLeod and Oli Jager to take back the lead 21-15.

Just before the break, Xavier Roe would finish off some great counter attack from the home side to score the bonus point try. Cook-Savage was unable to add the extras to take the lead and Waikato would go into the sheds trailing 21-20.

Gideon Wrampling would score his second of the afternoon 10 minutes into the second half and put Waikato back in front, again finishing off some brilliant counter attack from the home team. This time Cook-Savage would add the extras and Waikato now had a 6 point lead.

Canterbury took back the lead at the midway point of the second half when Mitchell Drummond found his way over for another visitors try. Burke would add the extras and Canterbury led by 1 point 28-27.

With 12 minutes remaining, Waikato would go back in front in the seesaw battle. Again from counter attack, Waikato would work their way down the field but would come up a few metres short. James Tucker with a pick and go, would dive over to score. Cook-Savage would add the extras and Waikato would extend their advantage back to 6 points. 

Canterbury would be penalised for being offside with 8 minutes remaining and Cook-Savage's successful penalty shot at goal would make it a two score game 37-28.

The visitors weren’t done yet, as they would score through Ben Funnell and Burke would convert the try to bring it back to a 2 point game. However Waikato were able to get the ball back after the restart and hold onto it to record their third straight win and claim a place in the Bunnings NPC playoffs.       

Waikato 37 (Malachi Warmpling, Tepaea Cook-Savage, Gideon Wrampling 2, Xavier Roe, James Tucker tries; Tepaea Cook-Savage 2 conversions, 1 penalty)

Canterbury 35 (Dominic Gardiner, Dallas McLeod, Oli Jager, Mitchell Drummond, Ben Funnell tries; Fergus Burke 5 conversions)

HT: 20-21

Article added: Monday 02 October 2023