Better off without the ball, perhaps
THERE have been some great games at Forsyth Barr Stadium over the years — this wasn’t one of them.
Otago got home in a close one, winning 2724 over Northland in a Mitre 10 Cup match last night after it trailed 107 at the break.
It was an arm wrestle throughout and neither side could get on the front foot.
Otago, though, got the win, as it had more territory and managed to just do enough.
But it was no classic. If it were a movie, it would go straight to video.
There were too many errors from both teams and consequently neither side could get any momentum. Few phases were built and the optiontaking left a fair bit to be desired.
The backs ran too much across field, which made it easy for the tacklers, and the defensive side appeared stronger at the breakdown. It was one of those games where teams were probably better off without the ball.
Otago got overexcited too often and failed to finish after it had worked hard to get near the Northland tryline.
It was behind by 10 points early in the second half but a try to winger Jona Nareki right in the corner got it back into the match.
Penalties were then traded but Otago went ahead when replacement flanker Joketani Koroi barged over.
Then, with a few minutes left, replacement flanker Slade McDowall grabbed a ruck turnover. Josh Ioane knocked over the penalty and Otago stayed strong to bag the win.
Best for Otago was No 8 Dylan Nel, while lock Tom Rowe worked hard. Halfback Kurt Hammer was quick round the field and Ioane did most things well.
The first 20 minutes of the match was littered with mistakes and it was a preview of the hour to follow.
There was the odd bit of good play by both teams but it always ended with an unforced error as many players’ skills went out the window.
Northland had the first
chance to put points on the board with a penalty through Jack Debreczeni and he put it over, hitting the post before the ball sneaked over the bar.
Otago finally got on the board shortly afterwards, as No 8 Nel barged over.
Halfback Hammer spotted a gap from a 5m scrum but was hauled down just short.
Nel just picked the ball up and drove to the tryline.
Ioane converted to give his side a 73 lead with half an hour gone.
But Northland would not lie down and after centre Rene Ranger ran hard and straight, Northland shifted it wide and winger Tamati Tua dived over in
the corner.
Debreczeni kicked the conversion from the sideline to give his side a 107 lead at the break.
Northland scored early in the second half when Debreczeni burrowed his way over as Northland attacked the line.
That gave the visitor a 10point lead and the pressure went on Otago.
The late game last night was billed as the battle of the two unbeaten heavyweights in the Premiership but home side Auckland proved far too strong, easily accounting for Tasman 3610.
TWO of the three unbeaten teams in Heartland rugby will meet this afternoon when King Country hosts North Otago in Taumarunui.
The other unbeaten team, Wanganui, will play Poverty Bay in Gisborne.
King Country opened the season with a 7517 win over East Coast but last week had to lift its game to beat Buller 3028.
North Otago opened its season with a 3024 win over Buller and last week held off Mid Canterbury, winning a cliffhanger 3433.
King Country coach Craig Jeffries, in his first season with King Country, has had a background of coaching in the Bay of Plenty and with the Steamers.
‘‘I thought I’d widen my experience and got appointed to the King Country Rams this season. The squad is a great bunch of guys,’’ he said.
‘‘But, as happens in Heartland rugby, players move on and this year we’ve got 11 new caps, but we have retained a good experienced core from last season.’’
Carl Carmichael captains the side. He has had experience for Tasman and before that, the loosehead prop logged up 55 games for Taranaki.
In the backs, first fiveeighth Evan Reihana is the son of former All Black Bruce Reihana.
Outside Reihana is the experienced Joe Perawiti, who has played for Waikato.
North Otago has also been forced to make changes for the game. Lock Jared Whitburn is injured and Old Boys flanker Anthony Amato makes his debut at lock with Pita Sinamoni.
Josh Clark is absent after injuring his chest against Mid Canterbury and Junior Fakatoufifita, who came on in the Mid Canterbury game, takes Matthew Duff’s position on the
openside flank. In the backs, player rotation means fullback Hamish Slater is replaced at fullback by Francis Kelly, while Matthew Vocea comes up from the Development XV to fill the left wing position.
In the reserves, Harbour player Hemaua Samisoni comes on to the bench. He has the ability to play in both the forwards and backs.
In other thirdround games: Mid Canterbury (7 points) meets West Coast (5) in Ashburton, South Canterbury (5) takes on HorowhenuaKapiti (7) in an early game in Wellington, Buller (3) plays Thames Valley (6) in Westport, East Coast (0), chasing that elusive win, meets WairarapaBush (2) in Ruatoria, and Poverty Bay (5) lines up against unbeaten Wanganui (9) in Gisborne.