The Otago Daily Times counts down the 150 greatest moments in Otago sport.
No 21: Vic Cavanagh's halftime talk (1947)
During his lifetime, Cavanagh always refused to divulge the secret behind one of the most famous team talks. It was finally revealed by assistant coach Charlie Saxton to the Otago Daily Times after Cavanagh died.
Saxton simply said the great Otago coach did not shout or roar and was not sarcastic to the players, who were trailing Auckland 12-3 at the break and seemed destined to lose the Log o' Wood.
He refuted rumours Cavanagh had burst into the Otago dressing room at Carisbrook in a rage and subjected the players to a vicious tongue-lashing, or that he had called the Otago team "girls".
Cavanagh retained his dignity and explained what Otago had to do in the second half to win.
"Vic repeated one of his long-held sayings: 'The firstest is the mostest.' The team that gets the ball first wins," Saxton said.
It is now history how a transformed Otago team turned the first-half deficit into a magnificent win. It was the greatest game of the Otago's Ranfurly Shield era that continued until 1950.
Captain Ron Elvidge said Cavanagh "spoke to us firmly but without histrionics. He wasn't like that. He told us that Auckland was being allowed to dictate the game and the sooner we came down to earth and played our own game the better".
Flanker Jack McNab said Otago played as if it was asleep in the first half.
"Auckland just beat us to the punch. They were quicker about the field and got more ball than we did."
It was a downtrodden Otago team that trooped into the dressing room to face Cavanagh at halftime.
"We had long faces and our heads were between our legs," McNab recalled.
"Vic allowed us to stew in our own juices."
Saxton recalled the atmosphere.
"Vic was very quiet but definite, and spoke in a firm voice. It was beneath his dignity to panic, shout or roar. He never used foul words.
"Vic wanted pressure to go on from the start of the second half to create situations that could be favourable to Otago.
"He told the team to chase the ball and create pressure situations on the Auckland halfback, first five-eighth Fred Allen and fullback Bob Scott. If Otago did this as a team it would win the game."
John Tanner and Elvidge scored tries, Laurie Haig kicked a conversion and penalty goal and Jimmy Kearney a drop goal. The Ranfurly Shield remained in Otago until 1950 when Canterbury beat Otago 8-0 at Carisbrook.
