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Otago's Hoani Matenga is tackled by Manawatu defenders
Manawatu stunned another southern Air NZ Cup rugby
hopeful with a 19-12 upset defeat of Otago in Palmerston North
tonight.
A week after toppling Southland by two points in
Invercargill, Manawatu showed they are genuine playoff
prospects with a mix of flair and staunch defence at FMG
Stadium.
They momentarily go top of the table, with a three win-one
loss record, although the remaining matches in round four are
still to be played.
Once again it was their exciting young backline that set up
victory, with first five-eighth Aaron Cruden producing some
lovely touches while winger Casey Stone bagged a double and
electric fullback Kurt Baker scored the other try.
Down 7-12 at halftime, Manawatu hit the front with two slick
tries in the 10 minutes after halftime.
There were no more points in the match although it wasn't
through a lack of endeavour from Otago, who spent long
periods camped in the Manawatu quarter.
The hosts tackled their hearts out and denied Otago when they
were within inches of the tryline countless times.
Otago were fuming when their All Blacks flanker Adam Thomson
claimed to have scored a try after his pack drove over but
referee Vinnie Munro couldn't see a grounding.
Earlier, Manawatu halfback Aaron Smith was a hero when he got
between the ball and the turf as former All Blacks prop Kees
Meeuws drove over.
Otago also paid for some poor handling, which undid much of
their good work at the lineout, where they disrupted plenty
of Manawatu ball.
Having conceded a try to Stone in the fourth minute, Otago
hit the front through tries to powerful winger Karne Hesketh
and fullback Ben Smith -- two of their better performers.
However, their defensive lapses soon after the break proved
decisive as they slumped to a third loss from four matches.
Manawatu 19 (Casey Stone 2, Kurt Baker tries; Aaron Cruden 2
con) Otago 12 (Karne Hesketh, Ben Smith tries; Cris Noakes
con). Halftime: 7-12.
