Auckland power up on miserable day for Otago
Auckland’s big guns fired yesterday as the power-packed visitors brushed aside Otago 38-6 at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
With six members of last week’s All Blacks squad on hand, complemented by a group of hardened Super Rugby players, Auckland were superior in every facet of play.
However, the game ended on a sour note as Otago’s Sio Tomkinson, a repeat offender, was sent off for an ugly high shot on Auckland’s Simon Hickey.
Tomkinson has developed a reputation as a reckless defender and is likely to face a prolonged period on the sidelines.
He shot out of the defensive line and collected Hickey high with his right shoulder, earning a deserved red card.
Earlier, form Auckland centre Rieko Ioane helped himself to a try in another accomplished performance, while Caleb Clarke’s bruising runs caused Otago major problems down the lefthand side.
Auckland forged an 18- point lead by halftime, and Ioane’s fivepointer shortly after the resumption of play effectively ended the game as a contest.
They ended with four tries and penalty try to get their season off to a satisfactory start, although harder tests will await.
Auckland will also be pleased with the performance of right wing AJ Lam, while Ofa Tuungafasi and new All Black Alex Hodgman had a strong day at scrum time, earning the second-half penalty try.
For Otago, No 10 Josh Ioane had his moments, but he was playing behind a well-beaten pack and didn’t enjoy the room afforded to his opposite, Harry Plummer.
The contest fizzled out somewhat in the final quarter, but
with Auckland dominating territory and possession, there was little chance of an Otago comeback.
Ioane’s try after half time was another sign of his growing authority in the centre position.
However, what really stood out was his defensive work and speed off the line, and the Otago backline was constantly under pressure.
Ioane was still working hard late into the second half, and a classy midfield break almost set up another Auckland try, but replacement halfback Danny Tusitala overran the inside pass.
Big Hoskins Sotutu grew into the game, while Akira Ioane made one strong charge in the first half.
Locks Jack Whetton and Scott Scrafton, coming off strong Super Rugby seasons, were also powerful in the engine room.
Hooker Leni Apisal scored the game’s first drive, barging over from a lineout drive after the
Auckland scrum generated a penalty at scrum time.
Auckland’s size advantage was telling in the first quarter as they dominated the collisions, but two penalties from Ioane kept the home side within touching distance.
As grew the in half unfolded Otago confidence as they
worked hard to bring Ioane, Vilimoni Koroi and Jona Nareki into the game, but they found Auckland’s aggressive defence hard to break down.
The difference in class emerged when Auckland managed to hold onto the ball and build some pressure, and Lam ran a superb line in midfield to score Auckland’s second try after the halfhour.
Auckland were in again just minutes later after Lam won a high ball, fullback Jordan Trainor made a nice break up the middle and Apisai ran a good support line to grab his second.
That pushed the lead out to 24-6 as halftime approached, and
Clarke then showed his immense strength on the left wing by shrugging off three would-be tacklers in an impossible position to keep the ball alive.
Nothing would come from the play, but it emphasised how much power Auckland have at their disposal with their All Blacks on deck.