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Steamers sunk by rampant Stags |
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Written by Craig Tiriana
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Monday, 13 October 2008 |
Battle-weary Bay of Plenty rugby skipper Tanerau Latimer doesn't know what the future holds but he's proud of his side's efforts over the past four months.
Latimer dejectedly trudged off the field on Saturday night after the Steamers collapsed 45-11 in their Air New Zealand Cup quarter-final against Southland, but was adamant his team had done everything they could.
``It wasn't for a lack of trying,'' the openside flanker said. ``I told the boys do what you can, try what you can, this could be our last day together - and I'm bloody proud of them.
``I honestly think the boys ran themselves off their feet - that last 20 minutes was a real struggle.''
The Steamers were desperate for the win and a chance to play a semi-final but couldn't produce the goods to deny a rampant Southland, who turned in their best effort of the year.
A disappointing crowd of about 6500 took in the Bay's last rites of the season at Baypark, the Steamers' first loss at that venue in 2008.
Furious BOPRU officials blamed TV3's sports news on Friday night for incorrectly stating the game was a sell-out, something several radio stations picked up on.
But it's unlikely even a bumper crowd could have stopped the Stags, who won by a record margin and consigned the Steamers to a six win, five loss playing record for the competition.
Apart from a brief period in the opening exchanges, the Bay were forced to play catch-up by Southland who hardly put a foot wrong.
First-five Blair Stewart contributed a personal haul of 20 points, converting all of the visitors' six tries, including his own, and adding a second half penalty.
The visitors now deservedly go on to play Wellington in Friday's first semi-final while Canterbury host Hawke's Bay on Saturday night.
The Steamers will begin their season debrief this week. The priority will be retaining the nucleus of the squad that finished fourth in the round-robin stage.
Latimer has confirmed his future is with the Bay, re-signing a couple of weeks back, while head coach Kevin Schuler has indicated he's keen to continue his tenure.
Some of the re-signings will depend on Super 14 selection at the end of the month and it's understood first-five Mike Delany is one of those as a 50:50 prospect, with an overseas contract to consider.
Several injuries will also need to be patched up, with loose forward Solomon King consulting a surgeon this week with a troublesome knee, while prop Matt Wallis requires a shoulder operation. Southland had too much fizz on Saturday. They won the toss and decided to play into the breeze and led 21-8 at halftime.
Bay could have had more points but were denied probably three times by desperate defence.
It was a night when things just didn't go the Bay's way. They made the line breaks but couldn't link and winger Jason Hona went within inches of turning some deft kicks down his flank into points.
As Latimer said, they didn't stop trying and they won't wake up wondering what if but the best team on the night won.
The home side's preparations were hampered with injury to regular starting prop James McGougan. A bulging disc in his back flared up during Thursday's training and wasn't ruled out until match day.
He was replaced by Wallis in the starting side with loaner Arden David-Perrott returning from Wellington on Saturday morning and joining the bench.
The pair played 40 minutes each and scrummed well enough but the game was won out wide where winger Pehi Te Whare and Stewart caused problems for the Steamers. Te Whare scored two tries and set another up while the shaven-headed Stewart found the odd hole to burst through.
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Steamers 2009 |
| : Air New Zealand Cup |
| 31 July: Northland, Rotorua |
| 9 Aug: Counties, Away |
| 15 Aug: Wellington, Rotorua |
| 22 Aug: Waikato, Mount |
| 30 Aug: Auckland, Away |
| 5 Sep: Canterbury, Mount |
| 11 Sep: Southland, Away |
| 17 Sep: Tasman, Mount |
| 26 Sep: Otago, Away |
| 2 Oct: Hawke's Bay, Rotorua |
| 10 Oct: Harbour, Away |
| 16 Oct: Manawatu, Away |
| 25 Oct: Taranaki, Mount |
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