Otago secure semi spot

A four-try burst in 10 minutes saw Otago end Canterbury's unbeaten record this season and seal an NPC first division semifinal place at Carisbrook in Dunedin today. 

Otago held on to win 24-19, including a four-try bonus point after they stormed to a 24-5 lead at halftime against a Canterbury side coming off two tough Ranfurly Shield defences.  

It saw Otago cement third place on the points table, two points behind Canterbury who now trail leaders Auckland by three points after their 29-22 victory over Wellington last night.  

All the damage was done between the 16 and 26 minute marks in the first half when the home side carved through some weak Canterbury defence on a sunny Dunedin afternoon.  

Nick Evans sparked the first try when he charged past returning All Black Aaron Mauger to send left wing Matt Saunders over in the corner.  

Four minutes later, centre Neil Brew scored the first of his two tries when he gathered a long Evans pass 30m out and brushed off Casey Laulala's tackle to score near the posts.  

Brew was in again soon afterwards when he ghosted way too easily through the Canterbury defence.  

The bonus point was sealed by Otago's most spectacular effort which started inside their own 22m when Canterbury wing Vilimoni Delasau lost possession.  

Captain Craig Newby ran the ball back and offloaded to Seilala Mapusua who broke clear down the middle before Evans raced in at the left corner.  

Evans missed his fourth conversion attempt but the game was Otago's at 24-0.  

Canterbury, with All Blacks Mauger, Richie McCaw and Chris Jack returning, finally awoke for No 8 Johnny Leo'o to score their first try three minutes before the break.  

Canterbury then strung some phases together in the second half and McCaw dived over in the 56th minute from a maul, Blair's conversion making it 24-12 heading into the final quarter.  

Reserve halfback Andy Ellis set up a tense final stanza when he scored from a good offload from Caleb Ralph, Blair's second conversion making it 24-19 with 10 minutes left.  

But Otago held firm and were hot on attack late in the match to deny the visitors any chance.  

"We're ecstatic, and after last night's result we may have snuck in a semi," Newby said.  

"In front of a great crowd -- day games at Carisbrook, we'd love to have them every home game. We had a massive crowd and they brought us through.  

"We've played well but we haven't played attractive football -- but in that first 30 minutes everything we did it stuck."


Result:
Otago 24 (Neil Brew 2, Matt Saunders, Nick Evans tries; Evans 2 con)
Canterbury 19 (Johnny Leo'o, Richie McCaw, Andy Ellis tries; Ben Blair 2 con)
Halftime: 24-5.

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF