U85 National Club Cup: Semi finals review

By Adam Julian

A salivating showdown between the best of Auckland and Canterbury will decide the National Under 85kg Knockout Cup winner. 

Reigning champions High School Old Boys Light Bears from Christchurch will joust with Auckland’s Pakuranga Black Panthers at 4:35 pm on Saturday at Sky Stadium.

The Lightbears overcame a gallant Auckland University Slugs 30-15 in Christchurch while Pakuranga pipped the Karaka Razzlers 34-24 at a sun-drenched Bell Park.

Discipline and defense were the telling difference for the Light Bears. Though each side scored two tries, six penalties were kicked by halfback Taine Cordell-Hull.

Lightbears coach Partick Coady (whose sister is Black Fern #148 Olivia Coady) was delighted with the outcome.

“The boys were epic. The defence was strong after being pressured by a great forward pack. We took our chances with the penalties and used the wind effectively in the second half,” he said.

University started brightest and following tries too James Barclay and Bayley Sullivan enjoyed the lead. However, the Slugs rued a mounting error count and couldn’t break the stubborn Cantabrians.

Maile Koloto (son of Union & league heavyweight Emosi Koloto) was honest and humble in his appraisal.

“Disappointed but proud of the fellas. We had the lead up until the second half. It was tough going against the strong wind. Credit to them they defended really well.”

The Light Bears' first try scorer was No.8 Tyler Koning with center Ryan McNaulty having the euphoric last say when he collected a rebound from a desperate, errant, pass and dashed in from halfway.  

Nothing was lightweight about the tackling of loose forwards Josh Purdon, Jack Owen and Koning. Cordell-Hull and experienced first five-eighth Jarred Percival proved durable and tactically astute.

Pakuranga's first five-eighth Riley Harrison was influential in the Black Panthers' prevailing over the Razzlers. Harrison kicked 19 points, including five penalties. With 67^th and 70^th minute successes Harrison ensured Pakuranga profited for their significant scrum supremacy. At times Karaka was mangled but was always dangerous in broken play.

Pakuranga sized a 21-17 lead in the 55^th minute after a try from Francis Morrison. The centre found himself unmarked after a long slog by his forwards that included a scrum so powerful Karaka was enveloped in goal.

Morrison then became the provider for Regan McGregor. Morrison scythed through four tackles and supplied his supporting fullback with a pin-point pass.

Earlier Harrison opened the scoring with a penalty. Karaka scored the first try when winger Jone Muakalou poached an intercept from a deflection and sprinted 60m.

Tighthead prop and vice-captain Jeandre Du Toit was pivotal in his 73^rd match for the Black Panthers. Du Toit richly deserved his try with a showcase of muscle from five metres out.  

Karaka was dangerous when they were able to play expansively. Andrew Turner and Lorenz Ewe-Gardner combined spectacularly down the short side in a sweeping 75-metre try.

Otherwise, Karaka was living off scraps, and their discipline suffered. Lock Rory Cavanagh (72 games) was immense for the Black Panthers and loose forwards Henry Adams, Josh Andrew and Callum Dimond worthy of acclaim.

The Light Bears beat the Takapuna Bombers 45-17 in the 2023 final. The match is a curtain raiser for the second Bledisloe Cup test between the All Blacks and the Wallabies.