Southland finally taste glory

Southland gladly shed the tag as the nearly men of the NPC rugby first division by beating Otago 28-22 in Invercargill last night.

Narrow losses in the past fortnight to Waikato and Auckland threatened to haunt the Southlanders but they did not allow that track record against Super 12 franchise-based teams to distract them.

They displayed considerable composure to come back from a 6-19 deficit three minutes into the second half at Rugby Park after halfback Chris Smyllie scored Otago's third try when he dived over from a ruck near the line.

Otago should have controlled the match from that position but Southland refused to bow and began to assert some authority up front after their pack seemed to appreciate the steady rain which began at the halftime break.

The hosts started clawing their way back into the game through lock Hoani Macdonald, who scored an outstanding individual try in the 48th minute when he ran 50m to touch down in the left-hand corner.

Southland improved from 11-19 behind to 18-19 in the 57th minute when Macdonald's locking partner Kane Thompson was driven over the line, and Richard Apanui's conversion left the outcome in the balance.

Otago first five-eighth Nick Evans, who launched some incisive runs to set up his side's two tries in the first half, and Apanui traded penalties to leave Otago clinging to a 22-21 lead entering the final minute.

Southland never gave in and were rewarded when centre Pehi Te Whare charged down a clearing kick and regathered to score the match-sealing try, which Apanui converted.

Southland 28

(H. Macdonald, K. Thompson, P. Te Whare tries; R. Apanui 3 pen, 2 cons).

Otago 22

(M. Saunders, S. Mapusua, C. Smyllie tries; N. Evans pen, 2 cons).

- HERALD ON SUNDAY