Otago oust Canterbury from NPC final

Otago captain Craig Newby in action during the NPC semi final at Jade Stadium. Ross Land / Getty Images

Otago's 15-man rugby caused the biggest upset of the NPC first division rugby season when they eliminated hot favourites Canterbury 37-22 in the first semifinal tonight.

Despite playing in front of Canterbury fans at Jade Stadium, Otago scored five tries to three in a typical tense southern derby and booked a spot in the final against either Auckland or North Harbour, who meet at Eden Park tomorrow. 

Otago halfback Chris Smylie was a major factor in the Otago side and capped his fine all-round performance with two tries.

Captain Craig Newby, fullback Craig Clare and flanker Josh Blackie scored the other five pointers, with first five-eighth Nick Evans kicking two penalties and three conversions.

It was a rare Otago victory on Canterbury soil but the second over them in a fortnight. Otago had stunned the top finishers in the round-robin competition 24-19 at Carisbrook and proved tonight it was no fluke as many experts had suggested.

Though Canterbury trailed 3-10 at halftime, they looked more organised and composed when they came out after the break.

They did come back on the scoreboard and scored two superb tries by fullback Ben Blair and openside flanker Richie McCaw to lead 15-13 in the 62nd minute - the only time they led on the game.

But the last 13 minutes belonged to Otago, with Clare, Smylie and Blackie nailing the victory with their tries.

Canterbury scored one more - again from a swift movement of the ball in the backline from a set-piece - but Otago were home and dry by then.

Otago 37 (Chris Smylie 2, Craig Newby, Craig Clare, Josh Blackie tries; Nick Evans 2 pen, 3 con)

Canterbury 22 (Ben Blair, Richie McCaw, Scott Hamilton tries; Daniel Carter pen, 2 con).

Halftime: 10-3.

- NZPA