16 Oct 2009

Hawkes Bay coach unhappy with treatment

10:38 am on 16 October 2009

The Hawkes Bay coach Peter Russell has questioned when the smaller unions will get a fair rub of the green on the national stage, following his side's 27-20 loss to Canterbury in their top of the table Air New Zealand Cup clash in Napier.

Without the use of a video referee, Hawkes Bay were denied a try on full-time, that if converted could have salvaged a draw.

Replays showed Magpies prop Faka'anaua Taumalolo did actually touch down and Russell says that and a number of other calls went against them.

The result means Canterbury secure a home semi-final, while Hawkes Bay remain second for now but are likely to be overtaken this weekend.

Canterbury scored three tries to one with the home side leading 17-14 at half-time.

Canterbury played 10 All Blacks and the encouraging thing for Hawkes Bay is that if they meet them again in the play-offs, the red and blacks will be without many of those internationals.