The woe continues. Otago slumped to its fifth straight loss in the ITM Cup last night, falling 25-15 to Taranaki at Carisbrook.
This is clearly the worst start by an Otago team in a national provincial championship, and one wonders where the first win is coming from.
Otago did show some life in the second half and got back to within seven points but a lack of firepower at vital times ultimately cost it any chance of victory.
The home side did some things well but there were just too many errors and poor ball security, especially in the first 40 minutes.
It was down 14-0 within the first 10 minutes and from then on was fighting an uphill battle it was never going to win.
Otago did not get enough continuity in its game and failed to find space against a tight Taranaki defence.
It was not as though Taranaki was outstanding, but it did the basics well and at this level that is all that counts.
Otago was at a disadvantage before the kick-off when captain Alando Soakai cried off with a back injury.
It was down 19-3 at the break and though it fought back in the second half to get within seven points it could not get up.
Taranaki offered little in the second half but was solid enough and tigerish at the breakdown to slow down the Otago ball.
Otago got in behind Taranaki a few times during the game but the Achilles heel of the side is failing to turn half-chances into points on the scoreboard.
Prop Halani Aulika scored a try straight after halftime when Otago simply kept hold of the ball, and rolled through the Taranaki defence.
Lock Hoani Matenga scored his first try for Otago after 13 minutes in the second half from a nice break by Glenn Dickson.
Otago then was handy but could not land the killer blow, with too many inaccuracies at vital times.
Willie Ripia added two penalty kicks in the second half for Taranaki, which seemed to tire as the game went on.
Taranaki had been able to build on an early lead, scoring after just six minutes.
It moved the ball across the field several times and then Barrett sliced through a gap from 5m out to score.
Ripia added the extras.
From the kick-off Taranaki was in again, courtesy of a glaring error by referee Keith Brown. He missed a clear knock-on and Taranaki kicked the ball on for captain Craig Clarke to score.
Otago then finally got on the board through a Dickson penalty.
The home side was continuing to win penalties but could not get over the line. It pressed for a good 10 minutes in the middle period of the first half but came up empty-handed.
Winger Ryan Shortland ignored his unmarked wing colleague, Joe Hill, outside him and a try went begging.
Taranaki then rolled down the field, held on to the ball for a few phases and found unmarked winger Andre Taylor on the outside, who dotted down.
Dickson had a good game for Otago, Adam Thomson got around the paddock well, and Andrew Parata was solid in the midfield.
Best for Taranaki was Clarke, while young fullback Beauden Barrett looks a player of promise.
THE SCORES
• Taranaki 25 - Beauden Barrett, Craig Clarke, Andre Taylor tries, Willie Ripia 2 pen, 2 con
• Otago 15 - Halani Aulika, Hoani Matenga tries, Glenn Dickson pen, con
• Halftime: 19-3
• Crowd: 3000
