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McKenzie misses three chances, Hohepa shows how to drop Otago

Stuff sports reporters

All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie won’t forget his return to provincial rugby in a hurry after he missed three chances to seal victory for Waikato in a wild 32-32 draw with Hawke’s Bay in Hamilton yesterday.

On Liam Messam’s 100th game for the province, McKenzie missed a penalty with three minutes remaining as an end-toend match at Waikato Stadium went to golden-point extra time.

The 27-year-old then had another chance to secure a hardfought win for the defending champions in extra time when a Hawke’s Bay player was penalised for not rolling away as the Mooloos pushed for a matchwinning try.

But once again a rusty McKenzie got his angles all wrong and sent his attempt wide of the upright, before squandering a presentable drop goal opportunity moments later as the Magpies clung on.

McKenzie did make a trysaving tackle on Caleb Makene a few minutes earlier to ensure that Waikato avoided defeat in their season opener, but will no doubt rue his inaccuracy off the tee, going 5 from 8.

Despite trailing 10-0 after only nine minutes thanks to an Isaia Walker-Leawere try and a Makene penalty, Waikato fought back with three tries of their own to lead 24-20 at the break.

Counties Manukau v Otago

A drop goal from Riley Hohepa

right at the death gave Counties Manukau a dramatic 23-22 win over Otago in a thrilling NPC encounter at Pukekohe.

The Steelers largely dominated the opening period and deservedly led 10-7 at the break thanks to a converted Zuriel Togiatama try and a Hohepa penalty.

But they were made to pay for their wastefulness when the southerners came out firing in the second half and swiftly turned the game on its head through a Josh Ioane penalty and two quickfire tries from returning wing Jona Nareki.

Leading 22-13 with 10 minutes to play, Otago looked poised to take the points back to Dunedin, until replacement fullback and debutant Esau Filimoehala collected a floated Hohepa pass out wide, sidestepped a couple of challenges to drive over and set up a grandstand finish.

And then the man-of-themoment capped off a fine individual display with a drop goal in the dying seconds.

Auckland v North Harbour

A three-try burst in seven minutes early in the second half sealed a come-from-behind 36-26 win for Auckland over North Harbour at Eden Park last night.

Harbour led 21-15 at halftime and extended to 26-15 with a superb try to wing Mark Telea.

But when Harbour prop Nic Mayhew was sinbinned, not only did he concede a penalty try but the hosts followed with two tries in quick succession. That ended the scoring as Auckland denied Harbour even a bonus point.

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2022-08-07T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-08-07T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/282707640828785

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