Rugby: A black Friday for Brown's boys

Otago first five-eighth Peter Breen's progress is impeded by Manawatu fullback Nehe Milner...
Otago first five-eighth Peter Breen's progress is impeded by Manawatu fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder during an ITM Cup match at the Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday night. Photo by Peter McIntosh.

Thirteenth. And frankly on last night's display, that is what Otago deserves.

Otago lost 38-25 to Manawatu at Forsyth Barr Stadium after being behind 21-13 at the break, drawing the curtain on a disappointing season which will have it finish second bottom in the ITM Championship, the 13th best province in the country.

Otago has many holes and they were clearly exposed last night.

Weak at halfback and No 8, no pace in the backs, too slow on the gain line.

And, basically, not enough talent both in body and in mind.

The side gave it its best shot against a Manawatu team which did enough but looked as if its mind was elsewhere.

But Otago was going to war lacking the precision and skill to win the battle.

Otago coach Tony Brown said it was a familiar story for his side - not taking chances and lacking the ruthlessness around the paddock.

''We missed a lot of opportunities and let in some soft tries. If we had taken our opportunities it would have been 50 odd to 40 odd. It was disappointing really, to create everything and not to finish off the tries,'' Brown said.

''Some players have enhanced their reputations and others haven't, while some players have gone backwards.''

He said lock Tom Franklin and prop Aki Seiuli had top seasons and also praised winger Fa'asiu Fuatai and midfielders Tei Walden and Michael Collins.

But Brown admitted the side lacked X-factor throughout the season.

''Losing Buxton Popoali'i, Paul Grant, Gareth Evans, Fumiaki Tanaka from last year was tough. That was our X-factor last year. It is very difficult to replace that in one season.''

Brown, who would move on to the Highlanders next season, said the side had to be on top of its game to win.

''I have sort of been saying it all year - if we play our best we can beat anyone, but if we are a little bit off then we can get beaten by anyone. Tonight that was a classic example. Just a little bit off with our execution, a little bit off with our defence and we lost.''

Brown said he was disappointed to finish his Otago coaching career with a loss. He said he would still be looking out for Otago players and helping where he could.

Otago, as it has all year, failed to make the most of chances and has too many players who are not urgent enough. It also lacked the physical dominance at times in defence.

The home side made a dream start to the game and almost scored after 40 seconds, but Fuatai coughed up the ball with the line open.

The home side did not have to wait long for redemption. After some strong drives at the line, lock Joe Latta rumbled over for a five-pointer after four minutes. Peter Breen kicked the conversion.

Breen, though, was the villain shortly after. He tried to run the ball out was cut down and Manawatu turned the ball over.

It quickly found a gap in the Otago defence and skipper Callum Gibbins was over.

Manawatu winger Nathan Tudreu then helped himself to two tries inside five minutes, making the most of some average Otago defence.

Otago stayed in the contest with two Breen penalties and then looked to have scored a try on the half hour. But Trent Renata was found to have lost the ball in touch.

How he did not score just before this with the ball in hands and the line open was hard to fathom.

 


ITM Cup
The scores

Manawatu                        38

Nathan Trudeu 2, Callum Gibbins, Rob Foreman, Hamish Northcott tries; Otere Black 4 con, pen; Jade Te Rure con.

Otago                              25

Joe Latta, Fa'asiu Fuatai, Sam Anderson-Heather tries; Peter Breen con, 2 pen; Hayden Parker con

Halftime: 21-13 Manawatu

Crowd: 3500


 

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