Auckland too good for Otago at Carisbrook

Auckland struck potent blows early and late to beat Otago 31-16 in an NPC first division rugby match in Dunedin tonight.

A storming beginning saw Auckland lead 17-0 after as many minutes before the home side grafted their way back into the match to trail 13-17 at halftime at Carisbrook.

The game was in the balance with Auckland still ahead 17-16 with 10 minutes remaining but two tries in three minutes sealed the outcome as the visitors secured maximum points.

Auckland ran in four tries in all for the bonus point, reward for their determination to play the game at pace, if without the accuracy they will need at the business end of the season.

The Otago tight forwards had the upperhand but that dominance was not translated into points as Otago showed huge disrespect for the ball, regularly coughing up possession as they and Auckland endeavoured to follow positive gameplans.

Fullback Brent Ward opened the scoring in the third minute with a penalty for Auckland and he was back in a goalkicking role six minutes later after second five-eighth Sam Tuitupou scored a try from a charge down.

The Auckland back three of Ward and wings Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett then combined their considerable skills to see Howlett score a try in the 17th minute, which Ward converted.

Otago slowly ate away at the significant advantage enjoyed by Auckland, through penalties by Evans in the 24th, 33rd and 53rd minutes, plus a try by robust flanker Alando Soakai in the 30th minute.

But all the hard work put in by the home side counted for little when Auckland put the result beyond doubt with further tries in the 70th and 73rd minute.

The first went to No 8 Jerome Kaino following an 80m movement which began when halfback Taniela Moa was gifted the ball from a sloppy pass by Evans.

Moa, then hooker Derren Witcombe and flanker Angus Macdonald headed upfield before Kaino provided the finishing touches.

Three minutes later Howlett surged through a huge hole in the Otago defence to lay on a try for Ward.
Auckland 31

(Sam Tuitupou, Doug Howlett, Jerome Kaino, Brent Ward tries; Ward pen, 4 con)

Otago 16

(Alando Soakai try; Nick Evans 3 pen, con). Halftime: 17-13.

- NZPA