BOP compound Southland’s woes
Southland equalled Northland’s record for consecutive losses in the top divisions of national provincial championship rugby.
The Stags’ 26-22 loss to Bay of Plenty at Rugby Park in Invercargill yesterday was their 19th-straight, taking them level with Northland’s effort between 2014-2016.
BOP’s Kane Leaupepe took the game from the Southlanders when he bowled over between the sticks with seven minutes to go, all but dashing Southland hopes of ending the losing streak.
The Southlanders are now staring down the barrel of a record 20th straight loss in the Mitre 10.
The first half belonged to the Bay of Plenty with Bailey Simonsson dotting down in the right corner within six minutes of kickoff.
Hooker Tom Crozier added to that advantage in the 12th minute when he peeled off a rolling maul to crash over, but Southland answered two minutes later through left wing Lewis Ormond, who went in untouched after good buildup play.
Bay of Plenty were quickly back in the ascendancy as Fa’asiu Fuatai used a mixture of quick feet, balance and power to beat a Southland defender with just centimetres to spare on the touchline, scoring in the corner in the 23rd minute.
Southland continued to battle away, pulling another try back when prop Morgan Mitchell burrowed over from close range seven minutes before halftime.
Southland’s best moments came in the second half with some excellent footwork on the right wing from Isaac Te Tamaki to dash past two defenders, then run 50 metres to the tryline.
That chance was created from a charge down in the midfield where the ball was claimed by Southland and quickly passed out wide.
A James Wilson conversion lifted Southland to 19-19. The seasoned Stag, back in the side after seven years in Britain, also landed a penalty from the sidelines in the 68th minute, as Southland took an unlikely lead.
Sadly for Stags fans, Leaupepe had the final say and Southland had no answers in the final minutes.
Southland may break Northland’s record on Wednesday when they host premiership heavyweights Auckland.