ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire picks out some key points from Otago's ITM Cup match against Northland on Wednesday night.
No attacking threats
Otago lacked any sort of punch, creativity or threat on attack. They tried hard and there were plenty of hard workers and tidy performances, but no-one really took the game by the collar and provided the go-forward that was needed to get some momentum and get the Northland defence disorganized. They were too predictable, with the forward runners tending too crash close in without driving forward, while the backs could not find gaps. The set-plays that were used were too easily read and for the most part the team looked resigned to throwing the ball across the field and hoping something happened.
Someone needed to offer a more direct approach. When the changes were made midway through the second half, the coaching staff were no doubt hoping the reserves might add this. But they did not - if anything it got worse. TJ Ioane was badly missed, as he was exactly the type of player who would have proved some fight. The midfield was strong on defence, but did not pose much of a threat on attack either and consequently the wingers hardly had a chance in the open.
Missed tackles
Otago fell off too many tackles, particularly in the second half, to win this game. It was similar to what was seen from the Highlanders last year, where they would tackle well and then miss a crucial one that would negate the hard work. The majority of Northland's tries came from straight missed tackles, two of which were close in and players were there to cover. Perhaps it was just one of those nights and the Northland ball carriers were running strongly and had the Otago defence on the back foot. Unfortunately, these missed tackles all occurred in places where covering was difficult.
Consequently they were not able to be bailed out with the scrambling defence that they have done so well so far this year.
Northland line speed
From the get-go Northland looked far more up for this game than Otago. Their defence was up very quickly and cut down the room Otago had to work with. Trent Renata placed a couple of kicks in behind early to try to negate this, but Otago did not kick accurately enough to be a problem. This no doubt had an impact on Otago's lack of attacking ability. But likewise Otago's inability to force Northland onto the back foot made it easy for them to remain organized on defence and get up quickly. They had few gaps and Otago rarely looked like getting through.
Battle of the loose forwards
While Otago's loose forwards are all hard workers, they perhaps lack the impact that tends to go with loose forwards in the modern era. So far they have got away with this and when it has been a problem, TJ Ioane has come on and more than sorted it out. However, in this game they did not have Ioane, and they really needed him. In contrast, the Northland loosies were dangerous all night, with Dan Pryor and Jack Ram in particular being threatening, running hard, good lines. The Otago defence really had no answer and their loose forwards just did not have the physicality to impose themselves to cause the same problems.
An eye on the Shield challenge?
You would have to think Otago might have had one eye on their upcoming Ranfurly Shield challenge. To be fair, it would be hard not to. Some of the changes and selections suggested this may have been the case. TJ Ioane not being included springs readily to mind, as does pulling Liam Coltman and Hayden Parker as early as they did. The players may have been of this frame of mind too, as they did not appear to have the same intensity they normally do, particularly in the second half, which they lost 25-3.
