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Auckland coach Alama Ieremia couldn’t hold back tears as he reflected on an emotional and tense rugby journey to 2020 that has culminated with his team reaching their second Premiership final in three years under his supervision.
And for the highly respected former All Black there is a personal aspect to the struggle that has been in the shadow of Covid-19 this year, with Ieremia revealing that his father is fighting for his life and that his brother has been out of work due to the pandemic.
Ieremia’s team survived a torrid semi-final exam at the hands of a brave Waikato team at Eden Park on Saturday, clinching a 23-18 victory that will see them host the final next Saturday in what is expected to be a last kick kick. afternoon time. Twice in the final minutes they needed significant breakdown penalties to get them out of the holes as the visitors pressed for the potential score to win the match.
SPORT OF HEAVEN
Auckland to host Miter 10 Cup final after narrow win over Waikato
The union later confirmed that as of 2018, when they won a memorable Premiership crown in Ieremia’s first year in charge, the doors would open and entry would be free to the decisive contest. Back then, they drew 20,130 fans for a memorable finale that went to overtime, with the hosts beating Canterbury for their first title since 2007.
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It was when she was asked if her team could recreate that splendid occasion next Saturday that Ieremia’s emotions overflowed and she was left struggling for words as tears welled up.
“We certainly want to make sure this team gives back,” Ieremia said. “The value of this team is inspiring our community. It will be a very emotional week for many of the players because they all have a different story about their families, about club rugby, about friends who have been affected by Covid.
“We all have our own stories,” she added through tears. “I like to think that the team will return a lot of that faith and support. For us to be there first … I’m probably a little excited about that … to unite this team in a very difficult situation, to get to the final, I’m very proud of the team.
“There have been many people behind the scenes, great invisible work has been done to achieve what we have achieved. I’d like to think that we can finish it high. Hopefully everyone is proud of what the guys are trying to do. “
When asked about his raw and unfiltered emotion, Ieremia opened up to his own situation that clearly had him struggling.
“Everyone has their story,” he added. “I have a brother who lost his job because of Covid. I have a father who is struggling to stay alive. He’s been very delinquent for a long time, and he’s here in New Zealand and he can’t go back to Samoa. He has been here supporting this team from the beginning.
“I am not the only one … there are also families that are under great financial pressure. I have staff who work for free, they cannot put 100% bread and butter on the table for their families, and they have been very dedicated and committed to this team.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Auckland celebrates an emotional Miter 10 Cup Premiership semi-final victory over Waikato at Eden Park.
“It puts what we do into perspective. I just want to thank everyone and I hope the guys will do it for them. “
Ieremia admitted that her team had been forced to dig deep to repel a challenge from Mooloo in front of a small crowd at Eden Park.
“They put us under pressure. You have to give Waikato credit because they got us straight to the wire with a lot of their defensive stuff. We didn’t help ourselves and we didn’t build the momentum we needed to get a few more points. That’s respect you have to give Waikato for putting us under the bomb. “
The Auckland coach called wing Adrian Choat’s late turnovers and replacement blocking Jack Whetton “big plays” as his team found a way to an ugly victory.
He also praised the outstanding performances of midfielders Tanielu Tele’a and Tumua Manu, who will soon be leaving.
“They are very important in terms of gaining momentum and making sure we are in the game when it comes to attack. They are very strong players, very balanced and I am very proud of Tanielu, who was late with his injury in 12th place, and he has done very well.
“It will be a very special week for Tumua, who has been a good server for Auckland rugby and is about to go abroad. The best parting gift will be if we can cross the line for him. “
Ieremia also had some useful spins off the bench, none more important than Whetton’s, who featured prominently in the fourth quarter.
“He was pacing the sidelines, looking at our box and I was trying to tell him to sit down. We had the luxury of having experience coming off the bench, and if you look at the impact of those players who came in and made good decisions in the fourth quarter, it was really important. “
Waikato coach Andrew Strawbridge lamented his team’s inability to finish those last chances.
“It was probably one that got away because it was 50-50, a real ding-dong, which could easily have gone either way,” he said afterward.
After three consecutive defeats heading into the semi-final, Strawbridge felt his team eagerly go into a state of excitement very well.
“We have a very young team and being at the sharp end of the competition table is something we have to grow into. Our scrum was under the bomb today and we lost a bit of confidence because of that. But we got back on the horse and asked all kinds of questions. I thought we did pretty well to fight in the contest and not just turn around. “
