A last minute try saw Nelson edge Waimea Old Boys 50-48 in the first semifinal of the Tasman Trophy at Trafalgar Park.
Nelson had got off to the worst possible start, losing both its wingers Adam Schwass and Solo Gukirewa to injury in the first five minutes, forcing second five Nelesoni “Soni” Malaulau to the wing.
It proved a master stroke as he scored four tries, the first of them set up by a kick from his midfield partner Izaiah “Izzy” Kamana.
Soni’s speed and elusiveness led to the other three, and he also had a hand in captain Fletcher Hewett-Smart’s try after a slick break and offload by flanker Bill Tuwai.
A crossfield kick from Campbell Parata produced Waimea’s opening try to wing Ryan Mirfin, and the captain then spotted a gap and grabbed the second himself.
Hooker Kees Barnes scored from a lineout drive to give Waimea a 22-21 lead, before Izzy put Soni away for his second just before half-time.
Flanker Matt Lowe popped a ball to hooker Tylah Blake as Nelson went 33-22 up, but lock Sio Latu subbed off the bench to get Waimea back into the game.
The tries were coming at breakneck pace, fortunately the loaned Nelson College scoreboard could keep up in a match that produced 15 tries.
Soni joined the backline line, from the left wing, and scored on the right for his third.
Sio then hurt his shin but picked himself up off the Trafalgar turf and ran 30 metres to join a maul and grab a double.
It was his 15th try of the season in just nine matches.
More fancy footwork saw Soni get his fourth try and Nelson lead 45-36.
“I last did that for Nelson College 1st XV in 2021. It was good today. I was due to move to the wing in the second half but it came pretty quick. Izzy’s skills are amazing and I am just happy to play with him,” says the teacher, who was giving Waimea a lesson.
But Waimea wasn’t done, with replacement halfback Codey Grimes scoring in the 65th minute, and they hit the front again 48-45 after another sub, Jed Taikato, went over from a lineout drive in the 79th minute.
However a fourth dropped restart gave Nelson field position, and Izzy capped a big game with the match-winning eighth try 50-48, in added time, to earn a final with Marist.
“The boys stayed composed. We have a Nelson call which means we are 100 per cent on everything and the boys did it,” declares Soni.
Waimea’s skipper admits the loss was tough to take.
“We just couldn’t stack positive moments on each other. Score then lose the ball, but credit to Nelson, they defended well and have got some flashy backs,” says Campbell.
In the second semi, Marist was camped inside its own half for most of the first 30 minutes as Central opened the scoring through its centre and captain, Nigel Satherly.
The defending champions finally struck through slick second five Nic Sauira, who had spent most of the season with the Crusaders squad, and then his midfield partner Rylee Samuela pounced on a loose ball to score just before the break.
Rylee had earlier looked on his way to getting Marist’s first try only to be run down by Central’s All Blacks wing Timoci 'Jim' Tavatavanawai.
When Jim lost the ball early in the second half, his counterpart Timi Sauira swooped and dashed 30 metres to score.
“It went above his head and dropped on the ground, so I picked it up and took off,” laughs Timi, who enjoyed having his brother back in the team.
His break then led to French reserve forward Dorian Mignard getting a five pointer as the lead blew out to 24-7.
“We had been playing too much in our own half, but finally got the ball out to the edge in the second spell,” says Timi.
A set piece backline play saw fullback Luke Kilworth fire a long pass to Timi for the wing to claim his second try and, right on full-time, captain Tom Thornalley galloped away for the sixth, and final, five-pointer against the tired Blenheim outfit.
Marist winning 36-7 to seal a title defence against Nelson next Saturday.
