Last three clashes had Otago connection
THE NorthSouth games used to be a staple on the agenda.
Now not so much.
But as the match is revived in Wellington tonight, minds go back to previous games and something of an unusual southern connection about the game.
The last three matches of the NorthSouth variety were all played in Otago — all with some importance.
In 1986, Oamaru played host to a battle between the North and South islands in which teams were stripped of the top players with the Cavaliers touring South Africa.
New boys such as Frano Botica, Terry Wright, Mark BrookeCowden and Mike Brewer played in Oamaru and all went on to be All Blacks, playing in the side’s upset win over France. North won the game 2210.
Otago supplied four players — Richard Knight, Dave Callon, Mike Brewer and Lindsay Smith — to the South Island while Southland supplied two — Dennis Woods and Brent McKenzie.
In 1995, the NorthSouth game was played at Carisbrook in early April and was a trial of sorts for that year’s World Cup.
Jonah Lomu was a borderline selection with issues concerning his fitness but scored two tries as the North had a resounding win 5522, helping Lomu cement his place in the World Cup squad and go on to stardom.
Otago had eight starting players in the South team — Anton Oliver, Nick Moore, Jamie Joseph, Brendon Timmins, Steven Bachop, Jeff Wilson, John Leslie and Marc Ellis. Southland had Paul Henderson on the flank.
In 2012, the South met the North in a match arranged and backed by the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association. The game was organised to help raise funds for the Otago Rugby Football Union which was in dire straits financially.
The game was played on a Sunday in June at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
An All Black test was played in Auckland the previous night so no All Blacks were on either side.
Players were divided on franchise lines.
Kurt Baker played for the South Island as he was signed with the Highlanders while Southlander Robbie Robertson turned out for the North Island as he was aligned with the Chiefs.
The South Island was skippered by Southland hooker Jason Rutledge.
Rutledge said yesterday it was good to play with guys from the Crusaders, who were so often opponents.
‘‘It sort of had a festival feel to it. But the guys got into it and threw the ball around.
‘‘We had that threeweek break when the tests were on so it was good to get a runaround,’’ Rutledge said yesterday.
‘‘The crowd really enjoyed it and the whole game went really fast.’’
Rolling substitutions were used.
The match was won by the South Island 3224 although Rutledge remembered no trophy was handed out.