Sopoaga caps Waikato comeback NPC win
- NZ Sports Wire
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Waikato have staged a remarkable comeback win to open the 2025 National Provincial Championship (NPC) season.
In his surprise return to the NPC, former All Blacks first-five Lima Sopoaga crossed for the eventual match-winning try in the 79th minute at Eden Park on Thursday night, completing a 36-35 victory after being down 20 points with 20 minutes to play.
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After fullback Payton Spencer, the son of Auckland, Blues and All Blacks legend Carlos Spencer, scored in the 58th minute, the home side led 32-12 and the Mooloos had a 0.4 percent chance of winning, according to Stats Perform's Opta Predictor tool.
However, flanker Oli Mathis went over two minutes later to start the comeback, then reserve outside back Tupaea Cook-Savage scored in the 68th minute to close the gap to eight points.
Replacement first-five Rico Simpson kicked his third penalty to extend Auckland's lead to 11 points in the 74th minute, which again looked to settle the 'Battle of the Bombays'.
But replacement halfback Rui Farrant gave Waikato a chance with a 77th-minute try, then Sopoaga and Cook-Savage combined for the match-winner.
Sopoaga, who last played NPC rugby for the Southland Stags in 2016, broke the line near midfield, before offloading to Cook-Savage, who drew the last defender and gave the return pass. Cruden booted the conversion for the win.
Auckland still had time to take the kick-off, and regained possession, but Simpson's drop-goal attempt from 30m out was charged down.
Next week, Waikato host defending champions Wellington at Hamilton's FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday (kick-off 2.05pm), while Auckland head to Christchurch to face Canterbury in primetime (kick-off 7.10pm).
Round 1 of the NPC continues on Friday night when Manawatu welcome North Harbour to Palmerston North's Central Energy Trust Arena (kick-off 7:10pm).
Waikato 36 (Bailyn Sullivan, Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia, Oli Mathis, Tupaea Cook-Savage, Rui Farrant, Lima Sopoaga tries; Aaron Cruden 3 con) Auckland 35 (Anton Segner, Xavier Tito-Harris 2, Payton Spencer tries; Rico Simpson con, 3 pen, Alex Harford 2 con). HT: 12-17