Norths Capture Jubilee Cup

2004 FINAL Northern United fended off a tough challenge from defending champions Poneke to lift their first Jubilee Cup at Westpac Stadium on Sunday. Norths won 20-18 after a pulsating second half that could have gone either way.

But the talking point of the final happened before kick-off, when Poneke coach Ross Bond named a rookie at first five. Brad Cooper, son of Hurricanes coach Colin was thrust into his debut premier rugby game as a late replacement for regular first five Steve McColl, who was still injured from last week?s semi-final win over Avalon. Tongan international David Palu was also called in to halfback after being absent for most of the season.

Norths meanwhile, unleashed a masterstroke at first five. Regular midfielder Tamati Ellison was moved in to direct play from stand-off - and to take the goalkicking away from out-of-form kicker Peato Lafaele, who had kicked 1 goal from 14 attempts in Norths? previous two games. Ellison was ultimately the difference between the two sides as he kicked four goals from four attempts, set up a scorching try to left wing Lafaele with a perfectly weighted grubber kick and played with sufficient composure to help win the game for his side.

Ellison opened the scoring early on with a penalty for Norths, before Poneke?s forwards responded to a jittery start by Cooper, who missed an early penalty from in front, by hammering away at the Norths line. Lock Conrad Pau?u came up with the try, which was unconverted by Cooper from a handy position. Norths hit back in style with Lafaele?s try to take a 10-5 lead. Cooper eventually got on the board just prior to halftime with a penalty and the red and blacks turned trailing by just two points.

However, Norths took the game by the scruff of the neck in the 45th minute with a sensational solo try to halfback Lua Vaoloaloa. From his own 22 Vaoloaloa put through a chip kick, which fortuitously sat up for him to regather and scamper 70 metres for the try under the posts. This extended the halftime lead to 17-8.

Cooper was then subbed off and Palu moved to first five. Poneke immediately gained renewed ascendancy and threw everything at Norths. Palu kicked a drop goal and Ellison kicked another penalty, then Poneke prop Misiluni Moananu scored for Poneke in the 66th minute. Palu converted and it was again a two-point ball game.

However the final then took a further twist when Palu went off injured with ten minutes to play ? leaving Poneke without a goalkicker or a drop goal exponent. Norths were able to hang on till the end though, despite doing their best to hand Poneke possession in the final minutes, with a succession of turnovers, and not wearing the clock down.