Rugby: Otago bulldoze Northland up front

Otago's Tom Donnelly takes the ball in the lineout during their 29-7 win over Northaland in Whangarei. Photo / Getty Images

Otago clobbered Northland up front to set up a comfortable 29-7 Air NZ Cup rugby win in Whangarei tonight:

A genuine mid-table affair between the teams ranked seventh and eighth was virtually all over as a contest by halftime as the southerners' opened up a 22-7 lead.

The game degenerated after the break but staunch Otago defence ensured their was no repeat of last weekend's shock loss to Manawatu.

Their forward pack, comprised mainly of Highlanders Super 14 hard men, dominated the lineouts while former All Blacks prop Kees Meeuws made it hard for Northland to win clean scrum ball all night.

Classy flanker Adam Thomson was a standout performer, scoring two of Otago's four tries midway through the first half to open up a margin that was never threatened.

Northland couldn't find the attacking gear that saw them topple North Harbour last week as they struggled at the breakdown while the visitors busted over the advantage line superbly well through the likes of Thomson and forward henchmen Alando Soakai and Tom Donnelly.

The evening started brightly enough for Northland, who crossed through fullback Jared Payne after a break by flanker Joel McKenty.

A response came quicky through former New Zealand Warriors rugby league back Ryan Shortland, the Otago centre accelerating past Lachie Munro for a fine try.

Thomson's double -- both were rewards for fine support play -- came during a period when Munro missed two kickable penalty attempts.

First five-eighth Chris Noakes, who kicked 11 points, landed a penalty before halftime and converted the 58th minute try to impressive fullback Ben Smith -- the only try of the second half which earned them a bonus point.

It was the first use of the ground this season, which is undergoing development for the 2011 World Cup.

The surface dug up at times while Otago were forced to employ a pitch-side tent as their changing room.

Another former New Zealand Warrior made his first-class debut when rugby league playmaker Michael Witt came off the Otago reserve bench for the last 15 minutes at second five-eighth.

- NZPA