Rugby: Auckland cement third spot

Ben Lam makes a break during Auckland's win over Otago. Photo / Getty

Auckland 35
Otago 29

Auckland have reclaimed the Lin Colling Memorial Trophy and cemented third position on the ITM Cup Premiership table.

But after three games in nine days, their weary legs showed in the second spell and the final whistle could not come soon enough. In the final analysis, the goalkicking of captain Simon Hickey - six from seven - was crucial, as was a strong opening, when they led 24-9.

They led 27-14 at the break without ever really getting out of second gear. Charles Piutau looked as good as anyone in the opening stanza, his jinky footwork at centre and occasional deft kick causing alarm bells in the Otago defence. He finished the clash at fullback.

No 8 Akira Ioane scored an easy try when a loose ball squirted out of an Otago ruck, while opensider Mitch Karpik crossed after two false starts against Manawatu midweek on the same ground. George Moala scored his customary try from close range, which secured the bonus point.

Otago competed hard at the breakdown, where their unheralded pack were industrious, and they won several penalties from referee Brett Johnson, but they had to rely on the unerring boot of No 10 Fletcher Smith for the majority of their early points and their missed tackles in the backline started to create pressure.

Blindside flanker Naulia Dawai then came alive, scoring his third, fourth and fifth tries of the season in an impressive hat-trick, two coming from lineout drives. He also set up wing Jack Wilson for a try with an outrageous offload in a virtuoso display.

Auckland got loose, Otago got tighter, and the energised visitors could have stolen a miracle try at the death after a breakout. But Auckland hung on.

Auckland now have a week off before travelling to Blenheim to face the Tasman Makos on Sunday, while Otago heads to Wellington on Thursday night.

Auckland 35 (Charles Piutau, Mitch Karpik, Akira Ioane, George Moala tries; Simon Hickey 3 con, 3 pen)
Otago 29 (Naulia Dawai 3, Jack Wilson tries; Fletcher Smith 3 pen)
Halftime: 27-14