The Otago Whalers opened their South Island premier campaign with a hard fought loss to defending champion Canterbury in Dunedin on Saturday.
Canterbury came out firing, scoring after just four minutes when fullback Andy Rattray stepped through the Whalers defence for a try.
Whalers centre Tama Apineru fended off two defenders to score in the left corner, and Joe Bywater slotted the difficult sideline attempt to bring the scores level.
Both sides were unable to penetrate the opposition line for the rest of the first half. Bywater and George Fisi ensured the Whalers' line was impenetrable, and Reuben Te Amo made several hard hitting tackles.
Canterbury started the second half positively, using its bench well to bring on players with size and strength, but Ian Blake maintained the defensive effort for the Whalers.
A converted try from Nathan Saumalu restored Canterbury's lead, before Kail Spooner made a try saving tackle for the Whalers.
Spooner followed that up with a strong run from a kick return two plays later, before being brought down with a high tackle which led to Canterbury fullback Andy Rattray being binned.
The Whalers capitalised on their one man advantage when captain Isaac Misky spotted a gap and broke through three defenders for a try under the posts. Bywater again landed the conversion and scores were level with 20 minutes to go.
Canterbury defended well, despite its numerical disadvantage, and struck back through Ben Ilalio, who pounced on a kick in his in goal area, goose stepped his way past a defender and then showed good pace in running the full length of the field to score under the sticks.
Cody Te Awa sealed the game for Canterbury, breaking through the line and scoring with 10 minutes left.
The Whalers may lament their two denied try attempts in the second half, one for a dropped ball and one for a forward pass.
Otago coach Ray Fitiao acknowledged his side had some areas to improve, but said the Whalers would take some confidence out of the performance after showing plenty of effort and enterprise.
The Whalers will look to make amends this Saturday when they play the Southland Rams in Dunedin.
By Ricki Allan.
South Island league
The scores
Canterbury 24
Andy Rattray, Nathan Saumalu, Ben Ilalio, Cody Te Awa tries; MacKenzie Haugh 4 goals
Otago Whalers 12
Tama Apineru, Isaac Misky tries; Joe Bywater 2 goals
Halftime: 6-6.
