Rugby: Mooloos pound Otago but pay with injuries

By CHRIS RATTUE

OTAGO 14 WAIKATO 29

Waikato stuck to the province's finest rugby traditions in putting Otago away 29-14 in their opening NPC clash of the season.

But the Mooloo men suffered more injuries as they prepare for next Saturday's Ranfurly Shield challenge from Northland.

Canterbury loose forward recruit Clark McLeod (calf), openside flanker Scott Couch (knee) and back Damian Karauna (heavy leg bruising) are unlikely to be fit for the challenge.

Waikato lost Roger Randle (hamstring) and Mark Ranby (ankle) on the eve of yesterday's Dunedin match, although they and flankers Marty Holah, who is coming back from injury, and Jono Gibbes, who could not see out the match at Carisbrook because of a virus, will be all right for Saturday.

Led by a trojan effort from captain and No 8 Deon Muir, Waikato overcame a 0-14 deficit after 15 minutes against an Otago sorely missing seven All Blacks.

At Carisbrook Waikato struck a raw deal with a wind that failed to back them in the second half. They also suffered injury problems and battled with their own lineout.

After a bizarre start in which a goalpost snapped 15 minutes before kickoff, Otago - playing with the swirling wind - struck with early tries to New Zealand Colts Seilala Mapusua and Josh Blackie.

Brendan Laney missed straight penalties that curved outside the non-existent left upright.

Then, first five-eighths Charles Hore and wing Laney bombed a try, and Waikato wing Karauna intercepted another Otago move that had the line under threat.

That intercept led to a Glen Jackson try, after a fine chip-kick from debut flanker Gibbes, and Waikato were on their way.

Waikato were outstanding on defence. By halftime they led 17-14 and a 59th-minute try to centre Keith Lowen, after an extraordinary string of phases near the Otago line, had the visitors in control.

While Muir was burrowing away in the tight, Otago tried to use big No 8 Paul Miller by running him at the Waikato inside backs. But he and the Otago backline found little success there, where Scott McLeod was supreme.

And if McLeod was the defensive king, centre Lowen was the game's attacking star.

He scored two tries yesterday as Waikato moved the ball left after hammering at the Otago line.

Waikato coach Kiwi Searancke admitted his side targeted Otago's inexperienced inside backs.