Otago - NPC News

Otago knocked out of top-four contention
Special Correspondent

Otago's top four hopes were buried in the Bullring when home side Taranaki pulled off an upset 18-16 victory. Saturday night's national championship first division match had everything.

The right result for 7500 screaming Ferdie fans, a pulsating finish, a pitch invasion and no clock for the final 10 minutes. However, it could easily have been different had Otago first five-eighth Tony Brown had his kicking boots on. Brown was sadly astray in the first half, missing five attempts, before slotting two in the second half. But the one Brown - and his Otago team-mates really needed - was his last attempt from a handy position. With time ticking away, he hooked the kick wide. It was a disappointing night for Otago. The southern side scored two tries, both to winger Romi Ropati in the first quarter, but squandered several chances. Otago's backs always looked dangerous but never saw enough ball with the forwards outplayed by a rampant Taranaki pack. Ropati's first try in the corner came after quick hands by the inside backs, while his second followed a good build-up by the Otago forwards. The ball was spun wide to Ropati who stretched out in the tackle of Taranaki first five-eighth Craig Taylor to score.

With Brown strangely off target, it was always going to be a struggle. "We had our chances but our finishing options were all wrong," a disappointed Otago coach Kevin Gloag said afterwards. "We'd open them up, but couldn't finish." Gloag said Taranaki's effort was superb. "They hoed into us. They showed a huge amount of commitment and really took it to us. They took up the challenge and had a point to prove after two big losses." Gloag admitted his team's top four hopes had gone. "Even if we won our last three games, it's not likely to be enough." The only bright light is the possibility of a Ranfurly Shield challenge. "We're the only ones who will get a crack if Canterbury or Auckland lift the shield. It will make a change cheering for Canterbury next Saturday."

With the clock not operating, the wise man in the middle - referee Gary Wise from Hawkes Bay - called the tune. After clawing back from a 9-16 deficit, Taranaki snatched the lead with a Daryl Lilley penalty goal - his fifth of the match - to go with a dropped goal to set up a thrilling final few minutes. Several times Otago threatened to steal the show. Second five-eighth Seilala Mapusua broke through only to throw a forward pass metres short of the Taranaki goal-line, and Brown then had a chance from a handy position but his penalty attempt hooked wide as dozens of fans invaded the field. No sooner than they had been cleared away, Brown tried to set himself for a dropped goal, but good pressure from Taranaki forced a change of plans. Then came the final whistle, with the Taranaki players engulfed by delirious fans. It had been a night to savour.

Taranaki, against the odds, upsetting a side stacked with seven All Blacks. "The boys really stood up tonight. We didn't score any tries, but our go-forward was good and we used the ball well," said super boot Lilley. Taranaki's forward effort was superb, ripping into Otago at ruck and maul time and destroying the pack, which included All Black props Kees Meeuws and Carl Hoeft, at scrum time. Taranaki tighthead prop Gordon Slater reminded the national selectors of his value with a powerhouse performance against Hoeft, while Tama Tuirirangi, then Tony Penn, gave Meeuws and replacement prop Carl Hayman a tough time. With games against Northland (at Whangarei), North Harbour (New Plymouth) and Counties (at Pukekohe) remaining, an unbeaten run could see the amber and blacks into the play-offs for the second time.


 

 
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