Rugby: Manawatu inflict more southern woe

Manawatu stunned another southern Air NZ Cup rugby hopeful with a 19-12 upset defeat of Otago in Palmerston North tonight.

A week after toppling Southland by two points in Invercargill, Manawatu showed they are genuine playoff prospects with a mix of flair and staunch defence at FMG Stadium.

They momentarily go top of the table, with a three win-one loss record, although the remaining matches in round four are still to be played.

Once again it was their exciting young backline that set up victory, with first five-eighth Aaron Cruden producing some lovely touches while winger Casey Stone bagged a double and electric fullback Kurt Baker scored the other try.

Down 7-12 at halftime, Manawatu hit the front with two slick tries in the 10 minutes after halftime.

There were no more points in the match although it wasn't through a lack of endeavour from Otago, who spent long periods camped in the Manawatu quarter.

The hosts tackled their hearts out and denied Otago when they were within inches of the tryline countless times.

Otago were fuming when their All Blacks flanker Adam Thomson claimed to have scored a try after his pack drove over but referee Vinnie Munro couldn't see a grounding.

Earlier, Manawatu halfback Aaron Smith was a hero when he got between the ball and the turf as former All Blacks prop Kees Meeuws drove over.

Otago also paid for some poor handling, which undid much of their good work at the lineout, where they disrupted plenty of Manawatu ball.

Having conceded a try to Stone in the fourth minute, Otago hit the front through tries to powerful winger Karne Hesketh and fullback Ben Smith -- two of their better performers.

However, their defensive lapses soon after the break proved decisive as they slumped to a third loss from four matches.

- NZPA