Miller leads Otago to good win

Otago 37

Northland 19

Powerful No 8 Paul Miller led the charge as Otago cleaned up Northland in their first division match in Whangarei yesterday.

Thanks to two-try performances from winger Dan Parkinson and versatile first five-eighths Brendan Laney, Otago handed Northland the comprehensive loss on the back of a dominant forward effort led by the impressive Miller.

He repeatedly busted through the Northland defence with punishing runs from rucks and mauls, ably supported by hooker Tom Willis and prop Kees Meeuws.

Otago could easily have posted another three tries but lacked the finishing polish without eight of their All Blacks.

Northland were strangely sedate, scoring just one try early in the match after first five-eighth James Arlidge made a clean break and sent Jason Hita away near the posts.

Otago had the impetus for the entire game, with the performance from a fired up forward pack giving them the edge.

An early try to Parkinson set them on the way after a clean break from midfield back Seilala Mapusua.

Northland hit back with the try by Hita, whose untouched charge to the line topped off a strong game.

But then Otago's dominance upfront started to tell when a try to centre George Leaupepe was converted by Laney to give Otago a 12-7 lead.

Arlidge slotted a penalty goal to close the game up again, but then Otago launched a 30m forward raid before Mapusua broke through and presented Parkinson with another five-pointer with a neat pass.

Arlidge kept his side in touch with two more penalties, but another Miller bust saw Laney grab a try as he stepped his way past some ineffectual tackles.

The conversion made it 24-16 to Otago at halftime.

Laney posted his second try 20 minutes into the second half before Otago finished as they started with a try to winger Ryan Nicholas.

Of the Northland side, Hita did well in his comeback game, hooker Jason Hammond made an impact off the bench while lock Vula Maimuri was notable for some lineout steals.

It was an excellent result for Otago, and gives them a perfect record after two games.

The loss will put more importance on Northland's game at Pukekohe next Saturday as they bid to stay in touch with the semifinal contenders.

- NZPA