By WYNNE GRAY
Auckland 35 Otago 33
Auckland avoided further embarrassment last night when replacement wing Joe Rokocoko scored in the final move to keep an unbeaten 28-year Eden Park record against Otago.
After staying in the game through the marvellous goalkicking of Shaun Webb, Otago's hoodoo in Auckland continued when Rokocoko's speed
let him seal the match.
Auckland had to score twice inside the last three minutes and they did, with Brad Mika driven over then Rokocoko replying from the Otago kickoff.
Before that it seemed the dethroned NPC champions were going to end their year in further ignominy, showing little respect for conditions while Otago produced a yeoman response from a side given little chance of creating history.
Auckland outscored their more earnest opponents six tries to three but struggled to outstrip the southerners.
This was a game when unpredictable met pragmatism as the last rites of both sides' poor years were played out before a paltry crowd of about 7500.
As if to signal their displeasure about the form of the two great rivals, the weather gods delivered monsoon-like conditions.
Auckland tried to thumb their noses at the difficulties by moving the ball wide but the assignment was too tough.
Otago showed a much better appreciation of the problems, keeping the game tight and taking the points on offer.
Two final quarter tries from Otago gave them a massive chance of nailing the upset. They led 33-25 with just minutes left before Auckland delivered two deadly counterstrikes for an improbable victory.
Otago began strongly, using their tight forwards to grind out the metres in rolling mauls while Auckland tried to put on the fancy plays.
They soon trimmed that expression but it was the visitors who scored first after a 60m breakout from the base of a scrum.
Auckland responded with a tries to Angus Macdonald and Doug Howlett.
But Webb kicked two penalties to give his side the slender halftime lead.
Auckland changed their tactics after the break, Carlos Spencer kicking up-and-unders rather than spinning the ball.
Auckland (A. Macdonald, D. Howlett 2, B. Ward, B. Mika, J. Rokocoko tries; B Ward con, pen)
Otago (J. Shoemark, S. Harding, B. Smith, tries; S Webb 2 con, 3 pen) Ht: 10-13
NPC fixtures, results and standings
Division One | Division Two | Division Three
