Pivac: we made far too many mistakes

Otago 23 Auckland 22

For those who have watched Otago struggle against Auckland in the NPC rugby over the years, the last-gasp win at Carisbrook was rich in irony.

Brendan Laney's converted try in the final minute ended a losing streak of 11 games and eight years, and kept Otago in contention for the semifinals.

Auckland coach Wayne Pivac said: "The guys are pretty shattered. We didn't do enough in the first half and that cost us in the end.

"We made far too many mistakes and gave away silly penalties.

"A few missed tackles and that was it. Laney's a good player and he spotted the guys had drifted a bit."

Otago rewrote the script during a match more notable for its earnest endeavour than its quality.

So often in the past Otago have been the gallant losers against Auckland, denied victory by various means, including controversial refereeing decisions.

But this time it was a shattered Auckland side who returned to their dressing room after Laney's late heroics.

Otago, down 22-16, hammered away in the final stages and were awarded a scrum feed about 10m from the line. Grant Webb surged off the back, Filipo Levi smashed on, Laney had the ball from the ruck and left three defenders sprawling as he stepped through almost untouched to score between the posts.

He held his nerve to add the winning conversion and Auckland's day was summed up by the blustery wind blowing Carlos Spencer's restart back behind the halfway line.

There was elation from the Otago players at the final whistle, but it was more out of relief than joy at a top-class performance.

Otago still often looked disjointed and indecisive. There were too many forwards scattered among the backs, and the backs lacked precision in moving the ball wide.

The lineouts were a major problem - Otago lost seven of their own throws - although the wind was a contributing factor.

But what Otago lacked in rhythm and continuity, they compensated for in persistence.

"It's indicative of the way the guys believed in themselves," captain Anton Oliver said.

"Auckland slowly clawed their way back and got on top of us, but we had the courage and self-belief to stick at it."

Oliver conceded it had been "hard" to get back into the grind of the NPC, but added: "I love playing for Otago and it's only a matter of time before we're firing on all cylinders."

Oliver said the wind made lineout throwing a nightmare, particularly from the terrace touch.

"The wind was a shocker. A lot of throws just floated."

Otago had the shunt on the Auckland scrum, particularly in the first half.

- NZPA