Rugby: Hapless Southland draw

INVERCARGILL - Southland let victory slip from their grasp against Otago in their NPC first division rugby match at Homestead Stadium on Saturday.

A desperate and concerted shove by the Otago forwards sent Southland reeling off their ball in the last scrum and their first NPC win of the season went begging.

Replacement Otago centre Mathew Priscott scored in the corner after he was on the end of a short and snappy blindside passing movement resulting from the turnover.

In the final analysis, the dejected Southland side had to settle for two competition points and an 18-18 draw. They deserved better.

It was the 10th draw in 213 matches between the neighbouring rivals in a game billed a must-win match for Southland.

Southland had looked safe with 14 minutes left when leading 18-10 before Brendan Laney landed a penalty and Priscott scored in the dying seconds.

Otago coach Kevin Gloag said his team's late fightback was borne out of desperation more than design.

His team lacked urgency, commitment and continuity and were fortunate to emerge with two NPC points after being outplayed in most areas, he said.

Without their eight All Blacks, Otago struggled to establish a pattern and coughed up too much ball after unforced errors.

Gloag said his team defended well at times and the lineout was sound in the first half.

The Otago scrum was generally solid but concentration lapses and unfamiliar combinations disrupted fluidity and the team's game plan.

Southland failed to hammer home their best chance to bag four competition points this year by letting Otago out of jail when outmuscled at the 11th hour.

Otago's committed eight-man shove disrupted the Southland platform and the visitors burgled possession and put together a snappy passing phase which put Priscott over in the corner.

Southland nevertheless emerged with an honourable draw and several positives.

Commitment, urgency and passion were hallmarks of Southland's gutsy display which deserved a better fate.

Inspirational No 8 Paul Miller, hooker Davin Heaps, livewire flanker Bevan Leckner, halfback Brett McCormack, fullback Andrew Flint and second five-eighths Josh Heke could all hold their heads high after the game.

All enjoyed above-average games and contributed significantly to what coach Bob Telfer said was "a winning team effort by rights." - NZPA