Rugby: Southland tie with Northland

A last-minute try from replacement hooker Jason Rutledge secured Southland a 15-15 draw against Northland in their Air NZ Cup rugby match in Invercargtill tonight.

Southland scored three tries to Northland's two, but were left ruing lost opportunities after missing all five place kicks in a match they dominated for long periods.

The scores were tied 5-5 at halftime, but while Southland looked the stronger team, they couldn't translate that dominance into points on the board.

The home team started slowly, but eventually came to life when Northland were left a man short in the seventh minute.

Flanker Joel McKenty was shown the yellow card after taking out Southland wing Tony Koonwaiyou as he climbed high to gather in a towering up-and-under.

Commanding little advantage initially in the way of territory, Southland punished a poor kick and chase by Northland two minutes before McKenty was due back on the park.

Southland wing Matt Saunders regathered, eluded some disinterested Northland tackling and off-loaded for lock Josh Bekhuis to cross.

Kenny Lynn missed the conversion, but with Southland gaining better field position and their scrum starting to dominate, the home team were looking threatening.

Northland refused to buckle and just over 10 minutes later made the most of turnover ball, an initial burst from flanker Roy Griffin backed up with good support from captain and fullback Jared Payne, who dotted down in the corner to level the scores.

Missing the reliable boot of Robbie Robinson, still struggling with a hamstring injury, Southland turned first to Lynn then Seminar Manu, but neither could find the accuracy needed to add to the score.

With scores tied 5-5 at halftime, Southland came out strongly in the second spell and were rewarded for some early sustained pressure with try to replacement prop Fai Mika after 52 minutes.

On for captain Jamie Mackintosh, who was sidelined early on with a dislocated finger, Mika powered over after Southland had displayed commendable patience in recycling the ball.

Northland looked down and out, but with just 12 minutes left on the clock, Lachie Munro made the most of a brief foray into Southland territory to close the gap with a penalty right in front.

Minutes later Payne crossed for his second try after a jinking run from replacement halfback Luke Hamilton sliced through the Southland defence.

Munro added the extras, and with five minutes remaining, Northland were looking at an unlikely victory until Rutledge came to Southland's rescue with his 80th minute try.

- NZPA