Evans pilots Otago to bonus-point win

Nick Evans scored 16 points as Otago beat a hapless Northland side 41-3 in their NPC first division rugby match in Whangarei today.

The bonus-point victory regained fourth spot in the competition after six rounds for Otago. North Harbour had temporarily occupied the spot following their 41-8 win over Bay of Plenty on Friday night.

Evans, chasing a place in the All Blacks squad to tour the northern hemisphere late in the year, had a flawless game, according to his captain Craig Newby.

"We stuck to our plans right from the start and Nick was responsible for that. He controlled our game tactically and his kicking, including goal-shots, was 100 per cent today," Newby said.

"The conditions weren't easy and that's why we chose to play against the wind in the wet in the first half. We thought that if were had parity on the scoreboard and even if we went ahead we'd have the chance to press the advantage home with the wind on our backs in the second half."

Apart from his sound all-round game at first five-eighth, Evans scored a try and slotted a penalty and four conversions, one from the sideline, probably making an impact on the national selectors' list for the end of the year All Blacks' grand slam tour.

Evans levelled the scores with his first penalty goal in the 12th minute, converted his own try 12 minutes later and then added the extras for hooker Jason Macdonald's try to give Otago a 17-3 halftime lead.

Northland held for almost the entire third quarter before Otago winger Matt Saunders scored and then replacement Craig Clare and centre Seilala Mapusua crossed for their tries.

Another replacement Callum Bruce kicked a penalty and conversion.

Northland were erratic. They would build up an attack and take play close to the line and then would either lose the ball or get penalised.

When under pressure, they resorted to handling on the ground and were penalised constantly.

"Unfortunately for us we gave away too many penalties and allowed Otago back into the game to get field position," Northland captain David Holwell said.

"We had the wind behind our backs but couldn't make the most of it. That was disappointing -- to turn at the break 17-3 down because then we'd be up against it.

"We gave away silly penalties, guys off their feet and still trying to play the ball.

"It's taking a long time to learn. If you're off your feet you've got to lay up the ball and get back into your place."

Otago looked particularly strong around the fringes where Newby, Grant Webb and Josh Blackie won the battle.

James Ryan and Tom Donnelly ensured regular supply of ball from the lineout and the Otago front rowers -- Chris King, Jason Macdonald and Carl Hoeft -- looked far more polished.

Holwell said his players just had to believe in themselves when taking on strong teams from the Super 12 bases.

"We always knew we'd be up against it. You've got to play with heart. We might not be the most skilful players or the biggest or the fastest but we've got to make up for it with a lot of heart," he said.

Otago 41 (Nick Evans, Jason Macdonald, Matt Saunders, Craig Clare, Seilala Mapusua tries; Evans pen, 4 con; Callum Bruce pen, con)

Northland 3 (David Howell pen).

Halftime: 17-3.

- NZPA