Rugby: Steamers limp into semifinal

Steamers player Carl Axtens makes a charge against Otago during their ITM Cup match in Dunedin yesterday. Photo / Otago Daily Times

The Bay of Plenty Steamers will limp into their ITM Cup Championship semifinal following back-to-back losses.

The Steamers will take on Hawke's Bay this coming Saturday at 2.35pm, after finishing fourth on the ladder.

The Steamers had a chance to head into the playoffs fresh off a win but lost to Otago 43-30 in Dunedin yesterday, during the final round of the regular season.

The match at Forsyth Barr Stadium was a dead-rubber as both teams were already guaranteed a third and fourth-placed finish on the ITM Cup Championship standings.

As a result, both sides rested players during the fixture with one eye on the playoffs.

Bay coach Clayton McMillan said he was disappointed with his team's performance yesterday and they needed to improve a lot before their next game, in Napier.

"We need to be a lot better than what we have been to have any chance of troubling Hawke's Bay in our semifinal, and get a chance at the final."

However, he said he was proud of his team for making the playoffs this year.

When the Bay take on Hawke's Bay next weekend, it will mark their first playoffs appearance since 2008.

Otago got the first try inside five minutes yesterday through Naulia Dawai, who showed plenty of strength to get over the line following a nice offload.

Both teams traded penalties during the next 20 minutes as the Steamers edged ahead 9-8.

The floodgates opened towards the back end of the first half, as both teams crossed for tries.

Otago scored a scintillating try on 29 minutes, then were in again a few minutes later.

A nice kick near halfway resulted in Tony Ensor winning a foot race to the ball and the Otago flyer somehow managed to keep himself, and the ball, in play as he grounded in the corner.

There were some concerns over the grounding but the TMO awarded the try.

Steamers captain Culum Retallick got his side back into the contest shortly before the break when he picked the ball up close to the line and charged over.

Bay of Plenty's Johan Bardoul was shown a yellow card seconds before half-time for slowing down the play, and Otago ended up scoring after another controversial decision from the TMO.

Otago's Liam Coltman was awarded the try, despite looking to be held up over the tryline.

Otago went into the break 29-16 up and things got even better for the home side early in the second period.

In-form centre Matt Faddes scooped up the ball near his own tryline and took off down field, scoring his second, out-running Dan Hollinshead to score under the posts.

Otago substitute Fletcher Smith added his team's sixth try shortly after, as his team shot out to a big lead.

The Steamers put some respectability back into the scoreline during the remainder of the half, first through captain Retallick who scored his second, then Nick Evemy charged down a kick and scooted away to score.

-Otago 43 (Matt Faddes 2, Naulia Dawai, Tony Ensor, Liam Coltman, Fletcher Smith tries; Peter Breen 4 con, pen, Fletcher Smith con) Bay of Plenty 30 (Culum Retallick 2, Nick Evemy tries; Dan Hollinshead con, 3 pen, Nick Evemy 2 con) HT 29-16.