OTAGO 16 SOUTHLAND 7
It was grim, determined and old-fashioned at Carisbrook when Otago took four first-division points against their nearest rivals.
It was not attractive, but the tenseness and closeness of the game kept spectators enthralled.
Southland fired from the start and scored an early try before changing ends 7-6 ahead after
Willie Walker landed two penalties for Otago.
The only try of the half came after six minutes when Southland grabbed the ball from an Otago throw and centre Hayden Martine ran diagonally through the defence to give Southland the early lead.
However, Southland chose not to make more use of Martine's skills, to their detriment.
"We started with a hiss and a roar but then something happened and we started to screw up our own ball," said Southland captain Corey Flynn.
"We started off brilliantly and then lost it toward the end of the first half."
Flynn said Southland had been pumped up at halftime and felt they had the game in their grasp.
But Otago came out strongly and played more accurate rugby to shut Southland down.
Otago captain Taine Randell gave his team the confidence they needed to come back into contention in the second spell when he burst upfield for 30m shortly after the restart.
Otago took the lead 9-7 four minutes into the half when Walker kicked his third penalty.
The game was made safe when the home side strung together seven phases before winger Aisea Tuilevu scored a try in the 32nd minute, with Walker's conversion giving Otago a nine-point lead.
It was a disappointed Southland team who trudged off the field without even a bonus point after being so competitive.
Flynn realised the dilemma of his team.
"We need to pick up NPC points in every game, especially at home," he said.
"Our season will rely on it."
In the end it was the steadiness of Otago and their more clinical approach in the second spell that made the difference.
The Otago All Blacks were to the fore, providing leadership and control at vital times.
Lock Simon Maling took control of the lineout, halfback Byron Kelleher kicked accurately and prop Carl Hoeft was full of enthusiasm when he came on with 15 minutes left.
Southland fought well, but failed to turn their scoring opportunities into points.
- NZPA
NPC schedule/scoreboard
