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Punters should have a good excuse not to be leading the final at Auckland’s home against defending champion Tasman on Saturday night.
As was the case with their 2018 final against Canterbury, Auckland will not charge fans to enter Eden Park as they attempt to win their second title in three years.
Some 20,000 fans watched their thrilling overtime win against the Reds and Blacks two years ago, and Auckland coach Alama Ieremia wants to give the locals something more to cheer on after a difficult 2020.
“I like to think that the team will give back much of that faith and support. For us to be there in the first place … I’m probably a little excited about that … to bring this team together in a very tight situation, to get to the final, I’m very proud of the team, ”he said.
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* Impoverished Auckland struggles to break Northland’s hearts at Eden Park
* Miter 10 Cup: reality scenario for Tasman Mako under pressure
Ieremia was speaking after his team made a pair of decisive defensive plays to endure a tense 23-18 semi-final victory against Waikato at Eden Park on Saturday.
Flanker Adrian Choat and replacement block Jack Whetton made the deciding plays, ensuring Waikato lost its last four games of what was once a promising season.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Auckland winger Salesi Rayasi comes up and lands a high ball over Tasmania center Mitch Hunt last month.
Now Auckland is one win away from a record-setting 18th provincial national title, taking them four of Canterbury’s 14 away.
On their way is the Tasman Mako, who posted a 19-10 win over the Bay of Plenty in Nelson on Saturday night to keep their repeat hopes alive.
Auckland whipped Tasman 31-10 at Eden Park last month, one of two big losses for the South Island team this year.
However, despite continued scrum difficulties and trouble defending lineouts, they remain a dangerous proposition in what will be their fifth final appearance in the past seven seasons.
Especially with the Leicester Fainga’anuku wing wreaking havoc. Ask Bay of Plenty, who struggled to contain him in their semi-final loss.
Evan Barnes / Getty Images
Tasmanian wing Leicester Fainga’anuku will be a handful for host Auckland in Saturday’s final.
Fainga’anuku scored a try, was excellent under the high ball and was a steady handful with ball in hand.
The fact that both he and Auckland sprinter Salesi Rayasi, who scored against Waikato to extend his competition-leading try count to 14, will be in the final is reason enough to accept the free entry offer.
Fainga’anuku could have scored nine fewer tries, but he leads the competition by meters gained (890) and is second in clean counterattacks (24) and defenders defeated (51).
SPORT OF HEAVEN
Auckland to host Miter 10 Cup final after narrow win over Waikato
The prime minister’s final will follow Friday night’s championship final between Hawke’s Bay and Northland in Napier on Friday night.
With New Zealand Rugby expected to leave the premier / championship format next season, promotion is on the cards for both. But the winner might as well keep the second-tier trophy forever.
Hawke’s Bay will enter the game as strong favorites, having defeated Taranaki 59-23 in their semifinal at McLean Park on Saturday.
Kerry Marshall / Getty Images
Ash Dixon’s Hawke’s Bay are the favorites to beat Northland in the championship final on Friday night.
Hooker Ash Dixon scored a hat-trick as the Magpies canceled an initial deficit to run on eight attempts to three.
Northland upset Otago 32-19 at Dunedin in the first semi-final, giving the Blues and Golds their third straight loss.
Taniwha’s victory was highlighted by a superb try from Jone Macilai, who treated Otago captain Michael Collins like a speed bump on his way to the line.
SEMIFINAL RESULTS
Northland 32 (Jone Macilai, Jordan Olsen, Sam Nock, Matt Matich tries, Johnny Cooper with, 2 pens, Wiseguy Faiane 2 against) Otago 19 (Jona Nareki, Josh Timu, Sio Tomkinson tries; Josh Ioane 2 cons). HT: 10-12
Auckland 23 (Salesi Rayasi, Daniel Tele’a, Tumua Manu tries; Harry Plummer pen, with; Zarn Sullivan pen), Waikato 18 (Samisoni Taukei’aho, Adam Thomson tries; Beaudein Waaka 2 pens, scam). Height: 11-15
Hawke’s bay 59 (Geoff Cridge, Solomone Funaki, Dark Racket-Stones, Ash Dixon 3, Folau Fakatava, Connor McLeod tries; Caleb Makene scam, Lincoln McClutchie 7 cons, pen) Taranaki 23 (Lukas Halls, Ricky Riccitelli, Donald Brighouse tries; Jayson Potroz scam, 2 pens). HT: 28-11
Tasmania 19 (Quentin MacDonald, Leicester Fast Try; Mitch Hunt 3 pens) Bay of Plenty 10 (Joe Webber test; Kaleb Trask scam). HT: 13-7
