NPC News

Otago - NPC News
	Season capped by disappointing game Special Correspondent Auckland: The many dismal days Otago has known at Eden Park may have been joined by the darkest when one of the provinces' most disappointing rugby seasons ended on an appropriately sad note on Saturday. Auckland thrashed Otago 50-9, outscoring the Southerners eight tries to none to emphatically end what faint hopes Otago had of salvaging the season by making the Air New Zealand national provincial championship first division playoffs. Not having won at Eden Park since 1976 and having endured previous heartbreak there in both Ranfurly Shield challenges and NPC finals, Otago has seen the ground as something of a hoodoo. It might now also be regarded as a graveyard for a number of career ambitions. Coach Kevin Gloag will obviously come under pressure to retain his post and the retention of several high-profile Otago All Blacks in the squad for the tour next month of Japan, France and Italy must be in doubt. First five eighths Tony Brown, for instance, was totally outplayed by a rejuvenated Carlos Spencer on Saturday and might now find himself relegated to the New Zealand A team. Others like Byron Kelleher and props Carl Hoeft and Kees Meeuws, though injury prevented the latter playing at Eden Park, must also have challenges for their All Black berths. Adding to the Otago woes was a run of injuries. Star flanker Josh Kronfeld damaged his knee towards the end of the first spell and was hobbling on crutches afterwards. Romi Ropati, who collided with television equipment over the sideline, and Kelleher, were others who were injured, as was Kron-feld's replacement, Josh Blackie. However, there was a realistic appreciation of Otago's position immediately afterwards. Kelvin Middleton, the captain who played with typical industry at No 8, said: "If we're brutally honest, a number of our players haven't stepped up to the mark." Middleton declined to pinpoint anyone, saying he was talking of the team as a whole. Gloag said that though the effort in the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury the week before had taken much out of the side that could not be used as an excuse. "We have been smashed," he said. "There's not much more we can say. Auckland was playing with us at the finish." The galling part of it for Otago was that in the first 20 minutes it was well in the game and thanks to a dropped goal and two penalties by Brown had a 9-0 lead after only 11 minutes. Otago, at this point, was getting plenty of possession and was putting considerable pressure on the Auckland defence. But, in the 27th minute, the game slipped from Otago when it was punished for turning over the ball. Spencer, who had an outstanding match, led a counter attack and though a try was averted when Justin Swart took out Doug Howlett the resulting penalty saw hooker Keven Mealamu plunge over when the ball was tapped. Four minutes later, a Brown penalty attempt hit the upright and again from a turnover Auckland lock and action captain Charles Riechelmann set off a counter attack, which led to Spencer scoring. Howlett scored just on half-time to make the score 19-9 and from then on the second spell was a rout. Spencer orchestrated an increasingly confident Auckland backline and with domination up front, Auckland added tries to fullback Adrian Cashmore, wing Malill Mullaina, two to the sprightly second five-eighth Amasio Valence and another to Howlett. Aucklanders like Spencer and Riechelmann did a considerable amount to revive their careers. The flair and pace the Auckland backline showed, for the first time this year, also fuelled speculation that the Aucklanders may yet retain their NPC title, even though Canterbury at Christchurch in a fortnight looms as an obstacle. But coach Wayne Pivac pointed out Wellington next Friday in the semifinals will present a challenge. Riechelmann said the win over Otago, though pleasing, should be seen in context of a poor Otago display. "

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