Otago and All Blacks prop Carl Hoeft heaved a sigh of relief after their shaky 24 - 20 win over Bay of Plenty at Carisbrook.
Not only because Otago held on for victory, but because he had survived a full game with no ill-effects.
It was Hoeft's first first-class match since the
All Blacks test against Wales on June 21 and he played the full match at tighthead.
"I was just happy to get through the game without any injury problems," Hoeft said.
He was a late injury withdrawal from both Tri-Nations tests against South Africa.
"I've had a bit of bad luck with injuries so hopefully it's onwards and upwards from here," he said.
"I felt okay. I made a few tackles, got around the field all right, so I was pleased about that."
But Hoeft conceded tighthead prop was not his favourite position. It was the first time he had played in the No 3 jersey since 2000 and the Otago scrum was less efficient than usual.
"I'm the first to admit I'm not the best at tighthead, but I'll do anything I can to help Otago," he said.
Hoeft described the match against Bay of Plenty as "difficult".
"We had a few key guys out and we probably didn't stick to the game plan. We let them back into the game when we should have put them away."
It was Bay of Plenty's second consecutive close loss and Otago's third win in a row after a muddling game in which neither side seized the initiative.
When Otago scored two tries in two minutes to lead 18-3 after 32 minutes, it seemed they were about to take the game by the scruff of the neck and coast to a win.
Defensive mistakes allowed Bay of Plenty to score 10 points before halftime and the game meandered for much of the second spell.
Bay of Plenty coach Vern Cotter was disappointed his side did not finish off their opportunities but pleased at their tenacity and winger Anthony Tahana's two tries.
"That's twice in the last two weeks we've been down and come back to threaten at the end," he said.
- NZPA
