Auckland's mad rhinos take down Waicoa Bay Stallions | Rotorua Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Rotorua

Auckland proved too big and too strong for the Waicoa Bay Stallions, bringing their season to a disappointing end in Rotorua.

The Stallions had a faint mathematical chance to make the grand finals in two weeks time but it was one hurdle too many when they lost to Auckland 48-22, at Puketawhero Park at the weekend.

With the Stallions having a bye next week they can't improve their eight points on the results table.

Right from the start it appeared Auckland were a lot more hungry to win than the Stallions, with their big forwards charging like rhinos on heat at Waicoa Bay. This seemed to get the desired effect with the Stallions reluctant to move forward to make the tackle, giving Auckland the impetus and Nuivao Taka, the first of his four tries, 10 minutes after kick-off. Auckland halfback Trent Wallace converted all eight attempts at goal and it appears he is in the team for his goal kicking rather than option taking, while on attack - with Taka near on impossible to stop, Wallace regularly chose to cut back in on attack, getting caught with the ball.

Auckland captain Tane Hart said he was proud of his team's efforts and felt they were starting to gain good momentum for the end of the season.

"They are an easy team to captain, we have a lot of guys across the field who have that star quality. Taka is a freak and can do some amazing things."

The Stallions' two tries came after Brendon Anderson was given 10 minutes in the bin for a high tackle but Raymond Luke could only convert one of the tries. Auckland scored twice more and headed into the break 18-10 up.

Not much changed after halftime, in fact it was almost a replica of the first half - Auckland charging forward like mad men, Waicoa Bay reluctant to come forward and Auckland's backs scoring almost at will.

With 20 minutes to play Anderson again got sent off for a high tackle but this time, the ref told him not to come back - again the Stallions lifted for a short period scoring twice, but Auckland eventually gained control and the game. They came out 48-22 as the winners. Stallions captain Hayden Karena said he was disappointed with the loss, but proud of how his team never gave up.

"We turned over too much ball and it's hard to play at this level with a man down.

"We pretty much had to win this game to have any chance of making the finals."

Waicoa Bay's 17s and 15s also lost to Auckland going down 30-18 and 36-32 respectively.

Results:
Waicoa Bay Stallions; 22 (Hiwa Grant, Jarome Kutia, Zane Milliken, Junior Afualo tries; Raymond Luke 3 goals) Auckland; 48 (Nuivao Taka 3, Philip Pese 2, Shaun Metcalf, Joel Freeman, Manu Mau tries; Trent Wallace 8 goals) halftime; 10-18.