Waikato continue their unbeaten run in the Bunnings NPC after thrashing Southland Stags 54-24 at FMG. Stadium Waikato for Round 6.

Waikato opened the scoring early in the match when Rob Cobb crossed the tryline next to the posts to score after 5 minutes. Taha Kemara added the extras and Waikato led 7-0.

Daniel Sinkinson doubled Waikato's score when he chased down his kick downfield to score Waikato's second try, again Kemara was successful with the conversion and Waikato has s 14 point lead after 12 minutes.

However the Southland Stags. were able to draw the game level at half time when they scored through Jay Renton and Morgan Mitchell, as both teams went into the break 14 all.

In the second half Southland opened the scoring with a penalty that was successful from the boot of Robbie Robinson. 

But Waikato would then score 5 unanswered tries to blow out the score to 49-17, Waikato's tries coming from Tana Tuhakaraina, Taha Kemara, Damian McKenzie and Daniel Sinkinson who scored a double to complete his hattrick for the evening.

Southland did score their third try through Jack McLeod at the 66 minutes mark but Waikato would score again through Kemara who would finish the night with his second and a man of the match performance.

Waikato 54 (Rob Cobb, Daniel Sinkinson 3, Tana Tuhakaraina, Taha Kemara 2, Damian McKenzie tries; Taha Kemara 7. conversions)

Southland 24 (Jay Renton, Morgan Mitchell Jack McLeod tries; Robbie Robinson 2 conversions, 1 penalty)

HT 14-14

Article added: Friday 16 September 2022