[ad_1]
It took Julian Savea just five minutes to announce his return to New Zealand rugby, but his return for Wellington ended in defeat against an impressive-looking Waikato team in Hamilton on Saturday.
Wellington was a favorite on paper with All Blacks Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara and Asafo Aumua performing and a team full of Super Rugby regulars, but with the Lions applying intense pressure on the Waikato line late in the second. half, Damian McKenzie pounced for a vital interception attempt on his 33-point drive in Waikato’s 53-28 first-round win of the 10 Miter Cup.
The Savea brothers combined in their first appearance together for Wellington for a fabulous first try, scored by Julian, in a frenzied competition played in excellent condition at an empty FMG Stadium Waikato, but for a handful of members who were scattered in the stands because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Michael Bradley / Getty Images
Damian McKenzie scored 33 points in his comeback for Waikato.
The day ended favorably for Waikato when brave captain and number 8 Luke Jacobson crashed for his fifth try with six minutes to go, with six penalties from McKenzie giving the Mooloos an emphatic lead despite Wellington also scoring a point. Bonus for your four attempts.
READ MORE:
* Damian McKenzie seems to be able to come out of the Super crash in the fiery All Blacks fullback career
* Miter Cup 10: Ardie and Julian Savea combine for Wellington for the first time in a powerful lineup
The game was on the line until McKenzie ran more than 90 meters, thanks to a favorable rebound, without touching for the final score with 13 minutes to go, culminating a good performance from the Chiefs fullback as he seeks to improve his testing credentials.
The All Blacks injection added advantage and quality to both sides and the longer they are in the competition the better, although it could only be for a few more weeks before Bledisloe Cup testing with Australia scheduled for next month.
Michael Bradley / Getty Images
Ardie Savea was back with Wellington but couldn’t stop the Lions from losing.
All Blacks McKenzie and Anton Lienert Brown, who played for Waikato for the first time since 2016 and 2015 respectively, were among the best on the home team, but Fletcher Smith, against many of his Hurricanes teammates in Wellington’s lineup, He was also excellent for the Mooloos, as was rookie running back Xavier Roe, who went head-to-head with Perenara.
They were prominent in Waikato’s best attacking moments, but there was a lack of cohesion at times, as was the case with Wellington, given that both teams have only really been together for a week or two, and the visiting Lions never took control. .
Wellington had the momentum when Ardie Savea’s try cut the deficit to five points in the 53rd minute, but the ball’s rebound went in Waikato’s favor afterwards and Wellington collapsed.
Previously Savea took off the back of Wellington’s first scrum in Waikato territory and unloaded his older brother Julian on the left wing, who hit a defender and with his back to the try line, the former All Black superbly planted the ball over his shoulder for the opener.
Two McKenzie penalties kept the Mooloos in touch and a brilliant break from Lienert-Brown led to Roe’s impressive try that gave the hosts a 13-7 lead in an entrepreneurial first quarter.
Waikato extended their lead minutes later when Mitch Jacobson charged off a loose kick from Jackson Garden-Bachop and his opponent Smith in the first five-eighths went under the posts.
Michael Bradley / Getty Images
Waikato running back Xavier Roe had an excellent debut for the Mooloos.
Wellington’s poor discipline led McKenzie to score another three points for Waikato, but the Lions responded before the break when Vaea Fifita landed from a rolling maul and Connor Garden-Bachop scored with the last act of an entertaining first half.
All Black veteran Adam Thomson, who made his Waikato debut at age 38, then calmly finished a crucial second-half scoreline for the Mooloos with a point kick from Roe.
McKenzie added two more penalties on either side of Thomson and Ardie Savea’s attempts to keep the score going before Waikato’s strong finish.
Take a look
Waikato 53 (Xavier Roe, Fletcher Smith, Adam Thomson, Damian McKenzie, Luke Jacobson tries; McKenzie 5 scam, 6 pens) Wellington 28 (Julian Savea, Vaea Fifita, Connor Garden-Bachop, Ardie Savea tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 4 with). HT: 23-21.
MVP Points: Damian McKenzie 3, Xavier Roe 2, Fletcher Smith 1.
