Miller's final titbits

Semi-finals and finals

Geoff Miller, one of the great historians and statisticians of the rugby world, has written down some titbits about New Zealand's provincial competition as the final of the Air New Zealand Cup between Waikato and Wellington approaches.

Miller writes:

* The NPC was originally determined by a round robin competition. In 1992 the semi-final-and-final concept began.

* Waikato defeated Otago 40-5 in the first NPC Final in 1992.

This winning margin is still a record for the NPC Final.

Sadly, this match is not remembered for the spectacle it was, rather it is remembered for an instant captured on television, that of Richard Loe eye-gouging Greg Cooper - that was to result in a lengthy ban for Loe.

Sports-betting had not been introduced to New Zealand at that point, but if it had been, there would have been very long odds on fourth placed Waikato comfortably defeating Auckland 27-21 (three tries to nil) in the semi-final. This match will be remembered for a 'slight of hand' by Waikato prop Graham Purvis - on an Auckland scrum he prematurely dislodged the ball from the Auckland halfback into the scrum - tighthead and try to Waikato.

That semi-final result may have been a portent of things to come - Waikato was to end Auckland’s record reign as Ranfurly Shield holders less than 12 months later.

* Waikato have been finalists on two other occasions, losing 20-49 to Otago in 1998, and losing 28-40 to Auckland in 2002.

Waikato have been losing semi-finalists in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2003 and 2004.

* Since the play-offs began in 1992, Wellington have a similar record, with their solitary win in 2000, and defeats in the finals in 1999, 2003 and 2004. Wellington have not lost a semi-final match. On three of their four trips to the final they have defeated Waikato in the semi-final 1999, 2003 and 2004.

* Waikato has played Wellington twice already this year, with Wellington winning the early season match 45-24; and Waikato being victorious 37-21 in the Air New Zealand Cup match, both games being played in Hamilton. Wellington is thus on their third visit to Hamilton this year.

* In Air New Zealand Cup matches this year:
Waikato has scored 345 points and conceded 209 points.
Wellington has scored 255 points and conceded 205 points.
Waikato has scored 44 tries and conceded 28 tries.
Wellington has scored 30 tries and conceded 21 tries.

* David Hill has scored 85 points for Waikato in matches against Wellington. This will be his last match for Waikato prior to heading overseas to play for Bristol. Can he hit the ton before he goes?

By Geoff Miller