WELLINGTON, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Counties-Manukau stormed into New Zealand's National Provincial Championship (NPC) first division rugby final with a stunning 43-40 win over top-qualifiers Waikato in Hamilton on Saturday.
Counties, buoyed by the presence of recently returned All Black wing Jonah Lomu, outscored a passionate Waikato side six tries to four, five of them in the second half.
Waikato looked to have the game in the bag, leading 27-8 at the break and 37-15 mid-way through the second spell.
But inspired by a Joeli Vidiri hat-trick, Counties struck back with devastating effect to claim a berth in the final next weekend. They will play the winner of the other semi-final between Auckland and Canterbury at Christchurch tonight.
Scorers:
Counties - Tries: Joeli Vidiri (3), Api Naevo, Blair Feeney, penalty try; Penalties: Feeney; Conversions: Feeney (5).
Waikato - Tries: Bruce Reihana (2), Scott McLeod, Rhys Duggan; Penalties: Matthew Cooper (4); Conversions: Cooper (4).
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