sundayterritorian.com.au SPORT Souths enjoy a solid win

SOUTH Darwin’s misery from last week was only partially forgotten with an uninspiring 29-11 victory over University in their NTRU clash yesterday at Uni Oval. The Rabbits were no- where to be seen early in the game, while the Pirates took every opportunity offered through centres Shaun Wauchope and Anthony Leal, and halves pair Anthony Lyons and Ryan Oakley. Although Souths playing coach Tim Atkinson and tough-as-teak prop Tom Wright were working to in- spire their mates, it didn’t work, and Uni took an early 6-0 lead after captain Frank Jennings landed two pen- alty goals. It took until 21 minutes before the Rabbitohs trou- bled the scoreboard, and it was Atkinson (try) and Jason Ramsamy (conver- sion) who did the damage. Souths flyhalf Billy Burn scored another try soon af- ter to give his team 12-6 lead at the long break. At the huddle, the nor- mally placid Atkinson de- manded a lift in intensity off the ball, and a more commit- The Waikato Chiefs celebrated their first Super Rugby title, beating the Sharks in Hamilton, New Zealand, last night Picture: AFP ted team effort across the park from his men. Uni boss Peter Bader asked his players to be more patient, and hold the ball longer and build pressure through possession. Chiefs take the crown Atkinson scored his second try inside five minutes of the re-start and SUPER RUGBY FINAL crown in the 17-year history ence grew as they worked SCORES Frederic Michalak before the the game looked over, but CHIEFS V SHARKS of the tough championship their way into the game. Chiefs began to work their Uni followed Bader’s which features the best from ‘‘We managed to disrupt CHIEFS 37 (Lelia Masaga, Tim way into the game with su- instructions, clung to the SONNY Bill Williams scored New Zealand, Australia and them a bit in the air and put Nanai-Williams, Kane Thompson, perior forward power and ball and were rewarded a try in his last game for the South Africa. them on the ground so they Sonny Bill Williams tries; Aaron more accurate kicking. with a bullocking try to Chiefs last night as the Wai- The Chiefs, with only a couldn’t drive. The second Cruden 4 con 3 pen) d SHARKS 6 Replacement wing Lelia hooker Clinton Wauchope. kato side claimed its first handful of experienced half showed our trademark (Frederic Michalak 2 pen) at Masaga put the match firmly But South’s star centre Super Rugby title with a 37-6 players in their squad, were line speed and the boys were Waikato Stadium. Referee: Steve in the Chiefs’ grasp with 20 Walsh (Aus). Lepani Nabuliwaqa, who win over South Africa’s largely written off at the start getting up in their face,’’ minutes remaining when he looked to be playing injured, Sharks in a one-sided final. of the season but proved the he said. snapped up a misdirected touched down after carrying The Chiefs, including pundits wrong by winning ‘‘We’ve got a heap of pride amount of opportunity to Daniel pass and raced 50m to through some traffic, and Territorian Tawera Kerr- the NZ conference and finish- in our defence and we talked score points and you should the line, stepping deftly Wright sealed the deal with Barlow, were more clinical ing second on the table. about not letting them over capitalise and when we domi- around Patrick Lambie on a five pointer of his own. and made fewer errors than The Sharks did enjoy the and keeping to no tries.’’ nated the game early on we the way. the Sharks on a wet Hamilton better of the opening ex- Sharks captain Keegan didn’t put that into points. Cruden landed the NTRU — SCORES night, running up a 13-3 lead changes after a JP Pietersen Daniel regretted his side did ‘‘No excuses. The Chiefs conversion and a further by half-time and outscoring kick drilled the Chiefs into not score points when they were outstanding tonight — penalty before Williams - South Darwin 29 (T Atkinson 2 B the Durban-based team four the corner and Ryan Kan- dominated early in the game. they really suffocated us.’’ ped off the scoring with a try Burn L Nabuliwaqa T Wright tries; J tries to nil. kowski stole the lineout. ‘‘That’s what finals rugby The Sharks’ only reward in the closing minutes which Ramsamy 2 con) d University 11 (C They become the sixth But Chiefs captain Craig is about,’’ he said. for their early domination he followed with a celebra- Wauchope try; F Jennings 2 pen). different side to win the Clarke said his side’s confid- ‘‘You get such a little was a sole penalty by tory dive into the crowd.

Stuart walks away from Origin coaching role Swing on by to 1074998_V2

RUGBY LEAGUE ‘‘The deliberation about can I the Darwin Golf Club! or can’t I, the speculation that NSW will need to find a new ‘he shouldn’t be allowed to do General Public Always Welcome! State of Origin coach after both the NSW job and the Par- walked away from ramatta job’, has made me do a FUNCTIONS the job. lot of thinking,’’ Stuart wrote in FOR ALL Stuart ended months of his newspaper column. OCCASIONS speculation on whether he’ll ‘‘All this swimming through coach the Blues by informing my head is part of the reason OUR SPECIALITY NSWRL chief executive Geoff why I am stepping down. As of Carr and members of the NSW right now, I am no longer the board of his decision. NSW coach. Yes, it is one of the Despite having the support of toughest decisions of my coach- the Parramatta board to coach ing career.’’ 10fa06/11 the Eels and the Blues, Stuart Stuart coached the Blues for Call our Clubhouse

has opted to focus on his new the past two years, narrowly For membership enquiries PUB: post at the Eels. losing this year’s series to NTNE-WS-5-A61KGE:MDA-TE: Y-C-CO-LO-R: A slow and unclear process Queensland in the decider, 8927 1322 by the NSWRL board played a 21-20. Call the Pro Shop role in Stuart walking away Many felt Stuart was the man To book a round of golf from the job. to continue at the helm of NSW. The NSW Blues hierarchy But now the NSWRL board 8927 1015 1079496 are yet to declare if they are must begin the search for his willing to back-flip on their full- replacement with , LinksLinks Road, Marrara time coach policy in order to , and www.darwingolfclub.com.au Ricky Stuart has stood down as NSW State of Origin coach keep Stuart. Phil Gould all options. www.sundayterritorian.com.au Sunday, August 5, 2012. Sunday Territorian. 61