Wellington hang on to make semis

Defending champions Wellington survived a withering comeback from Waikato on Saturday to keep their NPC title hopes alive.

Wellington won a thrilling quarterfinal 32-28 to progress to the semifinals in which they will host Hawke’s Bay, who beat Bay of Plenty 38-28 yesterday.

Taranaki, who beat Tasman 34-18 in a Saturday quarterfinal, will host Canterbury, who pipped Auckland 29-24 on Friday night.

Wellington led 25-7 at halftime on their home turf.

But Waikato came roaring back with three tries to get within four points entering the final five minutes.

The visitors laid siege to Wellington’s line, producing an extraordinary 32 phases in their final attack, which was halted in the 85th minute when flanker Samipeni Finau knocked on in a tackle from centre Billy Proctor.

Wellington captain Du’Plessis Kirifi told Sky Sport his team were determined not to lose another big game in the dying minutes, as happened in last week’s Ranfurly Shield defeat against challengers Hawke’s Bay, Wellington’s first loss of the season.

It was a surprisingly close encounter between the teams who had qualified first and eighth for the knockout stage.

Kirifi was among Wellington’s try-scorers, along with Julian Savea, Riley Higgins and James O’Reilly.

Waikato scored early through James Tucker while their try-scorers after the break were Pita Anae Ah-Sue, Tana Tuhakaraina and Sean Ralph.

In New Plymouth, Taranaki stepped up a gear in the second half to beat a plucky Tasman team that lost midfield back Alex Nankivell to a yellow card while conceding a penalty try.

It was 13-13 at halftime but Taranaki dominated much of the second half through replacement first five Jayson Potroz and exciting Highlanders-bound fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Tasman was also affected by the loss through injury of midfield star Levi Aumua.

Yesterday, the Steamers looked to be in command in the Battle of the Bays when former Highlanders lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit scored two tries to lead them to a 28-12 lead over Hawke’s Bay.

But the Magpies, hammered in the public and media all week for their disgraceful treatment of the Ranfurly Shield, came roaring home to book a place in the final four.