Otago blinded by tunnel vision

Hot at home but poor on the road, that’s been the story of Ranfurly Shield holders Otago’s season.

It begs the question – are they putting all their eggs in one basket and hurting their chances of gaining promotion to the Premiership?

Here’s this week’s Mitre 10 Cup talking points.

1. Otago’s tunnel vision

Good luck keeping a straight face if someone dare tries telling you Otago aren’t nursing a Ranfurly Shield hangover.

Because if one thing’s clear through the first six weeks of the competition, the blue and golds are very good team when the Shield is on the line under the roof, but rotten when they get on the road.

A week after sensationally defending the Log o’ Wood against Taranaki, Otago were dreadful in their 54-24 towelling against Wellington in the capital on Sunday.

All three of their losses were on the road, two of them heavy, while they have looked a significantly more interested side during their three home wins.

In third place in the Championship with four regular season games to play, they’re still in the thick of the playoff picture but need to bounce back against North Harbour in Auckland this weekend.

2. Good signs for the Highlanders

Josh Mckay flashing his blistering speed in the Mitre 10 Cup has to be going down well with Highlanders fans as the post-ben Smith era looms.

The Canterbury fullback has scored a competition-high seven tries through the first six rounds, and is putting together his best season since debuting for the red-and-blacks in 2017.

Mckay, who is contracted with the Highlanders for one more season, is one of a few candidates who could don the No 15 jersey which Smith has filled for the best part of the last decade.

The 21-year-old Christchurch Boys’ old boy mostly played wing the past two NPC campaigns, but George Bridge’s elevation to the All Blacks has allowed him to move to the back and get his mitts on the ball significantly more.

3. Who is putting their hand up for a Super Rugby gig?

Look no further than Waikato centre Quinn Tupaea, who cracked Stuff’s list of players unlucky not to get a Super Rugby contract last year.

The 20-year-old, who has been through the Chiefs junior representative system, surely won’t be overlooked again – not after what’s been a stellar first six weeks for the Mooloos.

Tupaea, a Hamilton Boys’ High School old boy and former New Zealand schoolboys captain, has nabbed six tries and caused defenders all sorts of problems with his explosiveness.

Among others sure to be in the sights of scouts are Tasman wings Tima Fainga’anuku and Jamie Spowart, and Canterbury midfielder Dallas Mcleod.

4. Match of the round

Hawke’s Bay’s home game against Taranaki should be a peach, but the one game not to miss is the Auckland-wellington clash at Eden Park on Sunday.

It’s a rematch of last year’s semifinal, won 38-17 by the Aucklanders, who went on to beat Canterbury in the final the following weekend.

But the Alama Ieremia-coached side have not come close to matching the form of last year, scratching out three wins, two draws and a loss to this point.

As for second-placed Wellington, they looked irresistible during their 54-24 flogging of Otago last week and, minus the towelling Tasman handed them early doors, have looked the goods.

5. Which leads us to . . . the ultra-tight Premiership

Forget about unbeaten leaders Tasman, who with 28 points boast a seven-point buffer and look certain to bag a home semifinal at the very least.

But drop your eyes and it gets interesting as the push into the playoffs dawns. Only three points separate Wellington (21) and fourth-placed Canterbury (18), who are nestled in behind Auckland (19).

And don’t sleep on Waikato (16) and North Harbour (15), who were all over Tasman for much of last week’s match in Nelson, before the hosts were awarded a late penalty try to rob them of an upset win.

If anything, it showed the Mako are mortal.