Auckland and Waikato have drawn 20-all in Hamilton, the second stalemate for the visitors this season.

The result preserves their unbeaten season – the side has not lost a game since September 28, 2018 – but the team will not be entirely satisfied, a clutch of errors cancelling out some solid scrummaging and defensive work.

The two points for the draw means Auckland moves to the top of the Premiership table with Tasman and retains the Stan Thomas Memorial Trophy. The Mako, however, plays Taranaki on Sunday afternoon so may move into pole position again.

Auckland did not get the rub of the green on several calls, but might have got away with one after an Akira Ioane cleanout off the ball escaped penalty in the final minute. It was in kicking range for Fletcher Smith. The replacement No 8 was making his first appearance of the season for the blue and whites and got through around 27 minutes,

The Mooloos looked the better team for much of the first half. Prop Ollie Norris, who represented NZ Under 20s earlier this season, crossed after just three minutes following nice interplay between Fletcher Smith and Rivez Reihana.

Waikato’s early intensity, aided by Auckland mistakes, yielded a second try to wing Declan O’Donnell. The visitors were struggling for flow with the home side slowing down ruck ball. But Auckland caught a break when lock James Tucker was sinbinned. Wing Caleb Clarke was the main beneficiary, scoring from a crosskick by No 10 D’Angelo Leuila.

Auckland slowly regained a measure of control in the second spell, but errors would often interrupt progress, while Smith kept banging over the goals for Waikato.

Replacement hooker Leni Apisai dived over from a lineout drive and that, coupled with a penalty goal by Daniel Kirkpatrick, saw Auckland draw level at 20-all and pressing hard for the killer blow.

It never came.

Clarke and Hoskins Sotutu, both of whom had useful outings, celebrated their blazer games.

Co-captain TJ Faiane paid tribute to his pack, and the front-row, in particular, for keeping the side in the match. Auckland now has two draws and two wins from its four games.

Auckland will now reset to face Canterbury next Sunday (September 8) in a rematch of the epic 2018 Premiership at Eden Park. Kickoff is at 2.05pm.

Auckland 20 (Caleb Clarke, Leni Apisai tries; D’Angelo Leuila con, pen, Daniel Kirkpatrick con, pen)

Waikato 20 (Ollie Norris, Declan O’Donnell tries; Fletcher Smith 2 con, 2 pen)

HT: 14-10 Waikato

By Campbell Burnes