Rugby: Stuttering win ends stuttering season

[1]

Otago captain Alando Soakai scores a try during the 22-19 win against Counties-Manukau at Carisbrook on Saturday. Photo by Craig Baxter.

It may have managed a narrow win against Counties-Manukau at Carisbrook on Saturday but the match was a prime example of why Otago has finished in the bottom half of the Air New Zealand Cup.

It finished 10th on the ladder.

An inability to turn chances into points, lapses in concentration at critical times, falling off important tackles and a lack of fire were all there to see on Saturday and, unfortunately for Otago fans, have been too prevalent this season.

Otago dominated territory and possession for much of the game, as it did in many encounters this season, but scored only one try and that was right near the end when it needed to get back into the game.

The visiting side scored three tries and looked threatening when spinning the ball wide but paid for some sloppy play in passing the ball and a lack of discipline.

Otago lacked firepower when trying to make breaks as the game went on and there were too many sloppy passes from both backs and forwards.

Injuries did not help, and the game ended with golden oldie scrums as Otago props Ben Nolan and Kees Meeuws left the field injured.

Charlie O'Connell made his Otago debut, filling in as a non-scrummaging prop in the final 12 minutes.

Counties-Manukau had the game for the taking, leading 19-12 with 20 minutes to go after big lock Alepini Olosoni scored after a good set of phases from the side.

But Otago swung back on to attack and, after six phases, replacement midfield back Andrew Parata stepped his way through to feed skipper Alando Soakai, who barged over beside the posts.

Michael Witt knocked over the conversion to tie the score up then kicked the winning penalty goal with four minutes left after Counties-Manukau was ruled not to have released the ball in the tackle.

Witt did some good things after he came on, and Parata also looked sharp.

Winger Karne Hesketh ran hard but not always in the right direction.

Halfback Sean Romans put in a fine effort, while loose forward Paul Grant again played well and shifted into lock in the second half.

Otago started strongly by breaking the line three times in the first five minutes, but it could not finish off.

Counties came back into the game and scored after 20 minutes when Otago conceded a free kick 5m from its line and flanker DJ Forbes barged his way over.

Otago was struggling to break through at this stage and was going across the field rather than running hard and straight.

The match showed little signs of life in the last 20 minutes of the first half until Glenn Dickson added his second penalty with two minutes to go before half time.

Counties scored 13 minutes into the second half with No 8 Waka Setitaia driving over from a 5m scrum.

Best for the visitors were fullback Tim Nanai-Williams, and lock Rees Logan.