Big boot, big moment - Matt Jacobs on Wainuiomata's winning kick

On Saturday the unheralded Matt Jacobs became the toast of the Wainuiomata Rugby Football Club when he dramatically nailed a 50-metre penalty goal two minutes before fulltime to propel the green and blacks into the Jubilee Cup semi-finals for the third time in six years.

Trailing fellow semi-final aspirant Poneke 14-13 with five minutes to go, Jacobs lined up an ambitious shot from 60-metres out and missed so badly the ball landed in the car park.

A few minutes later Wainuiomata won another penalty from halfway and Jacobs had to fend off teammates in his attempt to earn redemption.

"Michael Lealava'a and TJ Va'a offered to take the kick, but I said, 'I've got this.' The first kick I rushed because I was worried about the wind blowing the ball off the tee. The contact with the second kick was much better and fortunately the wind helped it over," Jacobs recalls.

Front rower Justin Va’a helped steady the ball on the tee before the kick. He says the kick was never in doubt as a fellow forward was taking it.

“He stepped up as soon as the penalty was awarded even when we have accomplished kickers like TJ Va'a on the paddock. What made me think yeah he's got this, is when a back (who hasn't been kicking) tried to take the kick."

“My hand was shaking so much I had to concentrate on keeping it still, but the shaking wasn't because of nerves, but because I was struggling to breathe and it wasn't my first time!”

“There was no time for a celebration, just a ‘shot bro’ and then it was back to halfway for the kick-off,” adds Va’a.

Poneke won the kick-off and pushed hard inside the Wainuiomata 22. Was Jacobs’ kick about to count for nothing?

"It always seems to happen, score a try, kick a goal and end up defending. It was a nervous last few minutes, but we dug deep and got the win," Jacobs says.

Despite six appearances off the bench in the Swindale Shield, Jacobs hadn't trained with the Premiers until last Tuesday night. Injuries and a badly timed holiday by 2014 Best & Fairest winner Ben Tupuola provided Jacobs with a rare break.

"I don't even know where Ben's has gone. He is entitled to take a break, but why now," Jacobs asks.

Defence was strongly emphasised during the build-up to the Poneke game.

"We conceded a couple of soft tries against MSP so we had a heavy contact session. The hard work paid off. We had to defend a lot and held up pretty well," Jacobs reflects.

Jacobs practices goal kicking in his spare time and has earned a reputation over the hill as a big punter. He has scored 162 points this season, but had only kicked five conversions in seven years for the Premiers. His last points from the boot before Saturday in any match for the Premiers was a conversion against Hutt Old Boys Marist in Round 7 of the 2013 Swindale Shield.

"It's been a long time. I am glad I stepped up when it counted, but all the boys did good," Jacobs acclaims.

The Senior Reserves are top of the table in the HD Morgan Trophy with two rounds to play. Will Wainuiomata be tacking home multiple trophies this season?

"I hope so, but it's pretty close at the top in both grades. We just have to keep our feet on the ground and keep on working," Jacobs humbly proposes.

With the Premiers’ usual kicker Josh Robertson-Weepu sidelined for the remainder of the season it's likely Jacobs will be in the reserves for the semi-finals on Saturday. Jacobs has a warning for the opposition.

"I want to score all four ways. I have scored a try (against Tawa), kicked conversions and penalties. I would love to kick a dropped goal," Jacobs laughs.

P.S. Jacobs’ father Paul Murphy played for Wainuiomata, but Matt was educated at Napier Boys' High School, but didn't crack the First XV. Matt is a builder by trade.