Feet still on ground after memorable win
RUGBY
OTAGO is not getting ahead of itself as its season reaches a climax, although it is in charge of its own destiny.
But the side is likely to be without experienced hooker Liam Coltman.
Coltman injured his hamstring in the side’s 2316 win over Canterbury in Christchurch on Friday night.
Otago coach Tom Donnelly said Coltman, who skippered Otago on Friday night, would get a scan on the injury but he had torn the hamstring. It could be seasonending but hamstrings are sometimes hard to get a gauge on.
Otago has a handy replacement in Ricky Jackson, while Henry Bell is the third hooker in the squad.
Otago went to the top of the table yesterday after Bay of Plenty beat Hawke’s Bay 2217 in Tauranga.
It was a top win by Otago on Friday night, its first win over the red and blacks since 2005.
Donnelly said the victory came from a real tenacity from his side, especially as Canterbury went hard at it in the second half.
“The guys just stood tall and showed some real ticker. Just a great attitude and never say die.
‘‘We just wanted to hang in there and keep them out. We almost gave it to them at the end but managed to stay alive,” Donnelly said.
“In the first half we were like we were against Hawke’s Bay. Had all the ball and had some chances but could not score.”
Otago got it together better in the second half and with some magic out wide scored a couple of nice tries.
“We have got some X factor out wide but that is only able to happen because our big yaks up front are giving them the ball. And that is what we have to keep doing.”
He praised the passion shown on defence and how everyone was working for each other.
Though it was a fantastic performance, the side was not getting carried away.
“We’ve just got to keep climbing. We have made no bones about it but we want to win the whole thing. But we just have to keep it about every game.”
He said No 8 Nasi Manu was outstanding and his secondhalf effort helped drive the side to victory.
Otago will take on Southland this Friday night before a match against Tasman to finish the regular season.