Rugby: Rust shows as Otago steamrolls Spartans

For a first dip in the pool it was good to feel the water on the back, but there are no doubt more severe tests to come.

The Southland Spartans were not the fiercest of warriors, but the Otago side, masquerading as an Otago XV in Balclutha yesterday, showed some nice touches to run out a convincing 59-7 winner.

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Ahead 31-0 at the break, the Otago XV scored nine tries to dispose easily of the second-string Southland side, which scored a consolation intercept try right at the end of the game.

The Otago XV, as the scoreline suggested, dominated the game, with the more experienced members of the side coming to the fore.

Otago maintained its starting XV for the first 50 minutes and players such as lock Hayden Triggs, flanker and captain Alando Soakai, and hooker Peter Mirrielees stood out.

In the backline, new second five-eighth Josh Tatupu showed some nice touches while helping himself to two tries.

First five-eighth Glenn Dickson racked off some big metres kicking for the line, new fullback Chris Small used his pace to good effect, while Ben Smith at centre had few opportunities.

Not surprisingly, the game lost structure as players were rolled on and off.

Otago coach Phil Mooney said the game brought out some good and bad things.

"We've got to take it for what it was, and it was good to have our first hit-out. We did some things really well and we also showed areas where we need to be better, and that is the benefit of having a game," Mooney said.

"I was pretty happy with some of our close-in passing and running some good lines.We created some opportunities, which we didn't always take. The defence was good in that they were in our territory for some time and we kept them out.

"That shows the guys the defensive system can be effective when everyone becomes a component in it."

Mooney said there were obvious signs of rustiness, and it was disappointing to see his players create chances only to turn the ball over.

He felt passes were pushed too often and players ran into each other.

"We wanted to play the game at speed for a little longer. At times, we sort of slowed down a little bit to their level."

He was pleased with the performances of the new players such as backs Tatupu and Chris Small, and said it was good for the rest of the players to see them on the park.

Mooney would be right to give a big tick to the game, but he, like everyone else, would have been at a loss over the scrums, which were a mess.

Referee Kane McBride certainly let everyone in Balclutha know he was in town, and the number of clean scrums equalled the number of traffic lights in Big River town.

Both packs were at fault, and neither gained ascendancy.