Tongans key to a North Otago win

North Otago backs coach Barry Matthews says a Polynesian flavour has been behind the team's dominating season, which they hope to cap with victory over Horowhenua-Kapiti at Oamaru tomorrow.

It will be North Otago's third consecutive final. They have lost three home finals in the past five years but, on form, that pattern looks like ending.



They average 45.5 points a game and only 12 against this season.

One of North Otago's strengths has been the power running of the Tongan players in the side, backed-up by swift support play. It was effective in their 58-10 thumping of South Canterbury in last Sunday's semifinal.

"We were getting messages on Sunday that our players were tired after 30 minutes of the first half and 20 minutes of the second," Matthews said.

"We sent a message back: 'If you think you are tired, take a look at the South Canterbury faces.'

"That seemed to work. The Polynesian influence means we're pretty good with the ball in hand and that's the way we've played it.

"We worked out that after seven games [first five-eighths] Simon Porter had kicked the ball just 13 times. He's done it a bit more since, but we're getting to the business end now."

The major injury worry is leading tryscorer Pila Fifita. He returned after a broken hand against South Canterbury on Sunday, scored twice to break North Otago's tryscoring record of nine and then strained a thigh muscle.

Porter has been outstanding for North Otago with 132 points, just 10 short of Chris Finch's 1998 province record.

Matthews said Horowhenua would not be taken easily.

"We might have beaten them 40-0 ealier in the season, but we felt it was by far our best effort of the season, and even when Horowhenua were down a long way they kept their structure. They're very well coached."

Horowhenua coach Peter Kemp placed his team firmly in the underdog camp.

"North Otago are head-and-shoulders above everyone else," he said. "I've no doubt they will be a semifinalist in division two next year."

North Otago: Luke Herden, Toetu Palamo, Fepikou Tatafu, Mike Mavor, Pila Fifita, Simon Porter, Ryan McCarthy, Regan Laughton, Ross Hay, Ray O'Fisa, Nathan Archibald, Campbell MacKenzie, Atelea Katoa, Barry Fox (capt), Hotili Asi. Res: Gary Byrne, Regan Gilder, Ray Gutsell, Steve Kotua, Mike Rowe, Kisione Ahotaeiloa, Tevita Asi.

Horowhenua-Kapiti: Ashley Drake, Jimmy Gould, Misipoloni Moananu, Matthew Oldridge, Danny Feehan, Dion Nepia, David Palu, Shane Cotterill, Jackson Wood, Nick Senior, Brandon Young, Shane Pihema, Bradley Cribb (capt), Keith Milligan, Hadley Gardner. Res: Gareth August, Clifford McLennan, Sonny McBride, Paul Tucker, Misilungi Moananu, Reihana Haerewa, Richard MacLean.

- NZPA