Kick and Chase: Day 6 - 3rd Jan 2010

Game day. Conditions – perfect. Following a rousing rendition of the God Defend New Zealand, the team, led by Michael Ruru, performed an excellent haka to the delight of the crowd. After NZU muffed the kick-off reception, it was déjà vu all over again as the USA under 20’s ran in a try after 2 minutes following a number of missed tackles on the blindside. After some stern words from captain Ben Koch, NZU re-gathered itself and on their first trip into the USA 22, Gareth Pottinger scored wide out on the right after been put into space by Henry Yortt. Guy Schwikkard converted from the sideline to put NZU in front 7-5. After 30mins NZU began to get some return from it’s possession and territorial superiority. Willy Tuikolovatu finished off some powerful driving play from when he dived over the line after NZU had stretched the USA from side-line to side-line with wide passes from touchline to touchline. The try was unconverted. 6 minutes later Bauro Kairaoi scorched into the backline, busted the USA defence wide open after a slick backline move and dotted down under the bar. Guy Schwikkard duly supplied the extra points and the score was now 19-11. With time up in the first half, NZU called a lineout move on the USA 22. Guy Schwikkard sniped down the blind side and Josh Prendergast scored in the left hand corner. The conversion went wide and the score at half time was 24-11. After 5 minutes of the second half, a USA penalty kick missed touch. After stretching the defence to one touchline, the ball was hooked back the other direction and after slick handling by Michael Ruru, Henry Yortt, Willy Tuikolovatu and Gareth Pottinger led to a fine try by Andrew McWhirter. Guy Schwikkard slotted a fine conversion and the score reached 31-11. Twenty minutes into the second half, the game was marred by a serious leg injury to one of the USA players. A halt was called and 30 minutes elapsed before the injured player was removed from the stadium by ambulance. On resumption of play, Richard Taylor charged down an attempted clearing kick from the USA first five and, after gathering the ball on the run, touched down wide out on the left side of the field. The try was unconverted. Score: 36-11. USA dominated possession for the next ten minutes and was unlucky not to come away without any points. After an 80m counterattack, NZU took their opportunity following a drive from a lineout and halfback Nick Annear scored on the blindside after an extremely fast snipe down the blindside. The try was good but the follow through was better with Nick doing a forward somersault in the act of scoring. The try was unconverted and the score was 41-11. With the game into injury time, tired NZU defenders fell off a couple of tackles and USA scored a well deserved unconverted try after sustained pressure. Final score: 41-16. Points: Guy Schwikkard 6 (3 con) Gareth Pottinger 5 (1 try) Willy Tuikolovatu 5 (1 try) Bauro Kairaoi 5 (1 try) Josh Prendergast 5 (1 try) Andrew McWhirter 5 (1 try) Richard Taylor 5 (1 try) Nick Annear 5 (1 try)
Jersey Winners:
Yellow Jersey Henry Yortt
Green Jersey Andrew McWhirter
White Jersey Mitchell Graham
Polka Dot Jersey Drew Hill