Otago 29
Northland 7
Hawkes Bay 28
Tasman 26
Otago's hold over Northland continued at Okara Park last night, as they crushed the Cambridge Blues.
Otago's unbeaten run against the Northlanders began 18 years ago and apart from an opening flurry by the home side, it was never under threat. Northland were tipped as solid prospects to end the losing sequence but their return to an under-construction Okara Park was a big disappointment for a decent-sized crowd.
Otago were in a tough and lively mood but Northland were badly off their game with strange errors all over the park, particularly at lineout. Northland could also do with getting their star wing Rene Ranger into the game more - he is getting few chances to show the form which saw him put a bright spot into the Blues this year.
Otago were excellent value for their second win of the season and they may be shaping as outside contenders.
When the result was beyond doubt, it was time for curios. Otago brought on former Warrior half Michael Witt - the Aussie who is making a code switch in the Deep South - in the 66th minute and he appeared to be stationed at second five-eighths. It was a settling in game for Witt, and he did little right or wrong as Otago cruised to victory.
Going into the second half with a 22-7 lead, Otago pinned Northland back on defence for the first 15 minutes then provided the killer bonus point blow with a left-side moved against invisible defenders and finished by fullback Ben Smith. Chris Noakes landed the sideline conversion for a 29-7 lead.
Northland's classy start to the match was quickly obliterated by Otago, with assistance provided by the home side's soft defence.
Northland captain Jared Payne opened the scoring after eight minutes, with a try after busts by Lachie Munro and Joel McKenty.
Otago powered past them though, opening with a try to former Warriors league centre Ryan Shortland.
Then awful Northland lineout defence saw a rampant Otago score through discarded All Black loosie Adam Thomson. Thomson crossed again in the 26th minute when Northland's poor defence around the forward fringes was again exposed.
Former All Black prop Kees Meeuws came on for Otago midway through the first half and impressed in all departments, including a few strong, short surges.
Otago 29 (Adam Thomson 2, Ryan Shortland, Ben Smith tries; Chris Noakes pen, 3 con)
Northland 7 (Jared Payne try; Lachie Munro con). HT: 22-7.
* * *
Hawkes Bay's first-up win against Auckland must seem like an age ago to Magpies' fans.
And for a moment last night against Tasman it looked like the entertainers of the competition were destined for another loss.
But winger Zac Guilford's last-minute try snatched the advantage from a Tasman side who had the lead for large periods of the game.
The match was high entertainment, running rugby, but the determined defence of Tasman, combined with a six from six success rate at goal by first five-eighths Andrew Goodman, almost undid Hawkes Bay.
It was only pressure, and an unusual penalty try against Tasman for collapsing the scrum, that put the Bay's season back on track.
Hawke's Bay 28 (Jason Shoemark, Zac Guildford tries; penalty try; Matt Berquist 2 con, 3 pen)
Tasman 26 (Mark Bright, James Kamana tries; Andrew Goodman 2 con, 4 pen). HT: 16-17.
