Otago beat Northland

9.30pm

OTAGO 65 NORTHLAND 24

Otago turned around from a big loss at home to scores a huge win away in a week and share the lead in the NPC first division rugby competition after round seven.

They scored nine tries, three by winger Matt Saunders, to wreck Northland's hopes of lifting off the bottom of the competition with a 65-24 win at the ITM stadium, Whangarei, tonight.

The home side came back to score three late tries but there was nothing left in the game for them by then.

No 8 Samui Vahafolau may not have got into the scoring record but his man-of-the-match performance enabled Otago to run away with the game by halftime, when they led 34-3.

He set up several tries with his delightful running skills through the defence or sweetly weighed and timed kicks, and brought off several big tackles whenever Otago were under pressure.

Referee Steve Walsh sinbinned Vahafolau in the last couple of minutes for a swinging arm in a tackle, but it didn't take anything away from the powerful back rower.

"I think I was a bit lucky the tight five worked so well to get us quality ball," he said later.

"That made my work real easy.

"I was aiming for a big game and I got it this time."

After a James Arlidge penalty gave Northland the lead in the eighth minute, they were virtually shut out of the game for the rest of the first half as winger Neil Brew, Saunders (twice), and midfield back Seilala Mapusua scored tries for Otago.

Saunders started the second-half assault with his third try in the 44th minute, with fullback Glen Horton, loose forwards Josh Blackie and Sam Harding and utility back Willie Walker, coming off the bench crossing for five pointers.

First five-eighth Mathew Berquist, in fine kicking form, kicked 18 points from two penalties and six conversions.

"It was a tough week, we worked really hard to get our game back," Otago captain Kelvin Middleton.

Otago were hammered 49-18 at home by North Harbour last week.

"We came to the training on Monday more disappointed than anyone. We trained hard and we trained well," Middleton said.

"Northland is traditionally a very tough game for us but tonight's score was fantastic."

Northland captain Glenn Taylor was lost for words after the match.

"It was terrible rugby from us, what can I say," he said.

Otago's win moved them up from fourth to the top alongside Wellington, both on 23 points. But Otago are second on points differential.

Otago 65 (Matt Saunders 3, Neil Brew, Seilala Mapusua, Glen Horton, Josh Blackie, Sam Harding, Willie Walker tries; Mathew Berquist 2 pen, 6 con; Tony Brown con)

Northland 24 (Matt Faleuka, Mose Tuiali'i, Tu Tumarua tries; James Arlidge pen, 3 con)

Halftime: 34-3

- NZPA

NPC points table