Manawatu cemented themselves as favourites for promotion from the ITM Cup Championship after a 38-25 victory over Otago tonight.
The win in Dunedin secured top spot and home advantage for the Turbos throughout the playoffs, including next weekend's semifinal against an as yet unknown opponent.
One team that can be ruled out of the equation is Otago, with the southern side missing the win they needed to remain in the hunt. Otago will instead be consigned to sixth in the Championship, leaving North Harbour and Southland to scrap for the final playoff place.
Whoever emerges triumphant from that battle will find a tough task facing them in the finals. Manawatu have sustained just two defeats throughout the 2014 campaign and, based on tonight's evidence, it will be difficult for any side to add to that number.
Manawatu excelled in favourable conditions under the Forsyth Barr Stadium roof, showing their skill with ball in hand to rack up a superfluous bonus point early in the second spell.
The Turbos had spent a significant portion of the first 40 minutes on the back foot and, with Otago fighting for their lives, it was more of the same after the break. But Manawatu refused to buckle and showed their ability to win matches in contrasting styles.
Otago grabbed the game's first lead through Joe Latta's close-range try, before Manawatu seized the advantage by displaying their clinical edge from all over the field. First Callum Gibbins was the beneficiary of a rapid counter-attack, then Nathan Tudreu grabbed a double from a grubber kick to the corner and a lethal lineout set piece.
Otago continued to enjoy the better field position after the halftime break but Manawatu remained resolute. The Turbos eventually added to their lead through hooker Rob Foreman, appearing set to run away with the game until Fa'asiu Fuatai stepped his way to the line from the base of a scrum.
Sam Anderson-Heather gave Otago late hope but Manawatu Hamish Northcott's late try ensures his side would head to the playoffs on a high.
Otago 25 (Latta, Fuatai, Anderson-Heather tries; Breen con, 2 pens, Parker con) Manawatu 38 (Gibbins, Tudreu 2, Foreman, Northcott tries; Black 4 cons, pen, Te Rure con) HT: 13-21
- by Kris Shannon
