Super Otago sub bags pair of tries

Otago 62 Bay of Plenty 15

Grant Webb has yet to make his Otago run-on rugby debut but he was one of their most impressive players yesterday during their first division demolition of Bay of Plenty at Carisbrook.

Webb scored two of the nine tries and had a strong all-round game as Otago gained maximum points to move into fifth place in standings, a point behind Auckland.

Webb has played well in each of his four substitution appearances for Otago, and he showed genuine authority after he replaced Sam Harding for the last 56 minutes.

He played at blindside flanker yesterday - but is also comfortable at No 8 - and formed a potent loose trio with Paul Miller and Josh Blackie.

"Grant's taking every chance he gets very well," Otago coach Laurie Mains said.

Webb scored his first try when he bounced off a tackler after five phases, and his second with a sharp 25m sprint after clever lead-up work by Ryan Nicholas and Jeff Wilson.

But just as impressive was some of his driving play, including a strong surge from a lineout steal which preceded Wilson's try four minutes into the second spell.

It was a record win by Otago over Bay of Plenty, eclipsing the 58-12 margin at Carisbrook in 1988.

Otago sprinted to a 24-0 lead after 17 minutes but lapsed into mediocrity in the second quarter when the Steamers regained some lost ground to reduce the deficit to 14 by halftime.

Otago played much better in the second spell, scoring six tries and 38 points in the space of 24min, but then sat back in the last 10min as Bay of Plenty capped a spell on attack with a consolation try to speedy winger Todd Blythe.

Captain Anton Oliver smashed over for a close-range try from a lineout drive and featured in a lot of general play as well as finding his jumpers with his lineout throws.

Mains was not happy at the 15 handling errors, most by the backs, in cool but almost perfect conditions.

Bay of Plenty competed bravely, but to no avail.

Halfbacks Rameka Poihipi and Nathaniel Walker both played well, as did wing Sam Hala and centre Dale Rasmussen, but they had to feed off scraps.

No 8 Clayton McMillan, replacement flanker Dave Dillon and lock Mark Weedon impressed in the pack, but Bay of Plenty was always playing for pride after Otago's emphatic start.

- NZPA