A hat-trick to Waikato halfback Brad Weber carried Waikato to a stunning 36-30 Ranfurly Shield win in Napier, halting Hawke's Bay's tenure at 11 successful defences.
Waikato were full of energy, while Hawke's Bay, despite the stoic efforts of Tony Lamborn and Brendon O'Connor, made too many errors in the second spell, as Auckland did two weeks ago against them.
The upshot is that Hawke's Bay's defeat gives Wellington a chance for home advantage in the Championship playoffs, while Waikato, solid at sixth in the Premiership, have consigned Manawatu to relegation for 2016.
Weber's father Neil, a former Magpies manager, may have mixed feelings from the night. His son's first try was a moment of high controversy.
It started with a sweet piece of skill from 18-year-old right wing Jordan Trainor, fresh from carving up in the national Under 19s tournament. It ended with Weber diving between the uprights. In between Anton Lienert-Brown threw a pass backwards that went forward by 4m.
Referee Nick Briant correctly awarded the try, but that law is an ass.
Waikato started like the proverbial house on fire, dousing the passion for Chris Eaton's 100th game for the union. Second five Lienert-Brown crossed after No 10 Damian McKenzie, who was superb all night, ignited the attack. Marshalled by McKenzie, they were sparky and via prop Josh Hohneck, they took a 17-8 lead after he showed his sidestepping skills.
Magpies hooker Ash Dixon drove over from close range, but wing Zac Guildford came up with a dumb play, dumping McKenzie in a tackle. The tackle itself wasn't too bad, and he may have been unlucky to have copped a yellow card in isolation, but coming off a five week suspension for a much worse tackle on Cardiff Vaega, it was not helpful to Hawke's Bay's chances.
Captain O'Connor scored off a lineout drive to bring it back to 17-15 at the half. He's scored a few through that mode in 2015.
- by Campbell Burnes
Waikato 36 (Brad Weber 3, Anton Lienert-Brown, Josh Hohneck tries; Damian McKenzie 4 con, pen) Hawkes Bay 30 (Brendon O'Connor 2, Ash Dixon, Lewis Marshall tries; Ihaia West 2 con, 2 pen) Halftime: 17-15 Waikato
