Air New Zealand Cup Final Match Report

The Vodafone Wellington Lions were defeated 23-14 by Auckland in the final of the Air New Zealand Cup on Saturday night at Eden Park. Despite a gallant effort the Vodafone Wellington Lions were unable to turn the tables on last year's title deciding loss to Waikato against a steely Auckland side that went through the 2007 season unbeaten. Two quickfire first half tries to the home side - both converted from the sideline by first five-eighth Isa Nacewa - provided the keys for Auckland's victory in a hard fought title decider played in blustery conditions and persistent showers. Two converted tries scored in quick succession to lock Jay Williams and Nacewa gave the Aucklanders a match winning 14-3 lead midway through the first half. The Lions contributed to a high action, free running season finale in the difficult conditions, but were unable to break down a committed and composed Auckland side, who kept their noses in front through penalties in the second half. The match began at breakneck speed, both sides eager to launch their attacking games from the outset. Early exchanges resulted in Wellington producing the first points of the final courtesy of a sweetly struck Jimmy Gopperth penalty in the 9th minute.   The Lions were then forced into a period of defence deep inside their own territory with the home side launching several assaults inside their 22.  Several forays were snuffed out, including a try saving tackle in the corner by left wing Shannon Paku on his opposite, right wing David Smith. But fast passing out wide and weight of numbers presented Auckland lock Jay Williams with a run to the line on the opposite touchline, Williams diving under the tackles of fullback Cory Jane and openside flanker Tom Harding to score beside the corner flag. Nacewa converted to make it 7-3. Three minutes later Nacewa scored and converted his own try in support of a weaving run by David Smith inside Wellington's 22 off an attacking scrum for a 14-3 buffer. The Lions searched for a spark and it came five minutes before halftime through busy lock Jeremy Thrush, Thrush running in support of a Jane chip kick behind Auckland's advantage line and scoring in the corner flag in similar fashion to Williams' earlier try for Auckland. Jane regathered his counterattacking kick in open space, ran on strongly, interchanged passes with the ever-present No. 8 Thomas Waldrom in support, and then offloaded in the tackle to the wide-ranging Thrush. First five-eighth Gopperth was unsuccessful with his tricky conversion attempt and the Lions went to the break trailing 14-8. The early stages of the second half were dominated by tit-for-tat penalties, Gopperth and Nacewa exchanging two more each, with Auckland restoring their six-point lead at 20-14. A lead they were able to maintain as more driving rain lashed the ground, even with the sinbinning of their replacement lock Troy Flavell in the 66th minute. Gopperth's ensuing penalty hit the uprights, with the 14-man Auckland scrambling out of trouble and working their way up field Nacewa kicked another penalty during this time to extend their lead to 23-14, forcing Wellington to score twice - the Lions pressing hard right to the end but with no further success. Despite the loss at the final hurdle, the Vodafone Wellington Lions can reflect on another successful season, winning eight consecutive matches between round five to the final, qualifying third in the round robin and beating Southland and Canterbury in the playoffs on route to the final.   The Lions wish to thank all their fans for their support in 2007 in their second season of the Air New Zealand Cup and look forward to their continuing support in 2008. Scoring: Auckland 23 (Jay Williams, Isa Nacewa tries; Nacewa 2 con, 3 pen) Vodafone Wellington Lions 14 (Jeremy Thrush try; Jimmy Gopperth 3 pen). HT: 14-8