The playoffs have been set in Dunedin premier club rugby after a final round of games led to some drastic movement in the table.
Green Island, which had already settled first place, lost a dead rubber but will play sixth-placed Southern in one playoff game.
University (second) will face Harbour (fifth), and Taieri (third) will play Kaikorai (fourth).
Dunedin was the biggest casualty of the final round, slumping from fourth to seventh, and missing out on the playoffs.
Southern 18 Alhambra-Union 15
Southern fullback Obey Samate has probably never kicked a more important penalty.
With his side’s season teetering in the balance, he somehow guided the ball between the sticks to help seal an 18-15 win over Alhambra-Union at Bathgate Park.
In dry conditions, the shot would have been easy enough. But getting a foothold on the surface was like climbing a slide in nylon socks: one set up and a couple back.
He took his time, made sure of his footing and drilled it. And that was the difference.
The win helped Southern clinch the final playoff spot.
Alhambra-Union opened the scoring when big No8 Delaney McKenzie crashed over.
Southern struck back immediately, mercurial winger Mackenzie Haugh slipping over in the corner.
He was in again later in the half when Josh Buchan took the ball to the line and got a nice offload to Paul Tupai, who shovelled it out to Haugh.
Southern led 12-10 at the break. But AU answered back through Highlanders hooker Liam Coltman.
Coltman played at openside and it was a good day to have a hooker in that spot. He wrestled his way over from close range to level the score 15-15 with 15 minutes remaining.
Samate hit the winning penalty with about five minutes remaining.
Bradley Horne nabbed a lot of ball for Southern at the front of the lineout and Mika Mafi hit the ball up strongly, while Highlanders outside back Jona Nareki was a constant threat. He made several telling breaks and also skipped through a tackle to score in the first half.
Kaikorai 43 Zingari-Richmond 10
Recent signing for the Southland Stags Grayson Knapp got the scoring under way after just 49sec of play to get Kaikorai away to a bonus point 43-10 victory against a Zingari-Richmond at Montecillo.
The Kaikorai captain and lock proved an inspirational leader with his defence and lineout work as he played a key role in keeping the game safe for Kaikorai after Zingari-Richmond was quick to regroup, scoring a sensational try though its No8 Chris Williams-Talauta, after some slick handling and passing with its midfield backs.
The first quarter continued to be action-packed. Kaikorai openside Jake Russ burst though a gap for a 20m dart to the line. Zingari-Richmond replied through through hooker Bailey Matoe.
Although Kaikorai camped inside the Zingari-Richmond territory for the second quarter, it managed only a try to hooker Henry Bell just before the break.
Lock Will Tucker, who had crossed the line twice, only for his tries to be disallowed, and proved a force at the front of the lineout, made way for debutant Harrison Morton in the second spell. The ‘‘mullet man’’ proved a worthy contributor to his team around the field, assisting Bell with his second try and playing a role in No8 Christian Lio-Willie scoring a brace. He was also in the action when replacement Sidney Fidow scored with time almost up to break a 20min deadlock of no scoring action.
Members of the pack all featured for Kaikorai and first five-eighth Ben Miller offered touches of brilliance in testing conditions.
Zingari-Richmond was well served by Matoe, Williams-Talauta, Chris Bell and Thomas Komisi in the pack, while in the backs Keenan Masina, Zayden Tane and Willie Time remained constant threats.
Harbour 18 Taieri 17
The Hawks scored with barely two minutes remaining to beat Taieri by a point at Peter Johnstone Park.
As the clock ticked down with his team trailing 17-11, Harbour lock Taylor Dale crashed over the line following a sustained period of attack, and Joshua Robertson-Weepu added the winning conversion.
It was a dramatic end to a game that had not really been full of excitement but featured a tough battle up front and plenty of physical action.
Taieri took its early chances, leading 12-3 through tries to Jesse Hutton and Caleb Leef, before Robertson-Weepu kicked his second penalty right on the halftime whistle.
Cameron Millar scored a nice try in the 56th minute, showing his pace from the halfway line. With a 17-6 lead, and a home crowd bolstered by players who had gathered for a reunion of the banner-winning 2011 team, the Eels looked to be sailing home.
But Robertson-Weepu started the comeback by firing over a cross-kick to unmarked winger Ben Anderson for the try. And after Millar missed a late penalty, the stage was set for Dale’s dramatic try.
Charles Elton had a fine all-round game for Harbour, while Hutton was strong for Taieri and both Bob Martin and Leroy Ferguson had their moments in the Eels backline.
University 27 Green Island 24
Blockbusting centre Thomas Umaga-Jensen powered University to a 27-24 win at Miller Park.
Green Island, already assured of top place heading into the playoffs, made all the early running into the stiff breeze, leaping to a 17-0 lead.
Shane Fikken muscled his way over for a try, Bradley McPate scorched down the field for an intercept try almost straight from the kick-off, and Michael Manson scored a lovely five-pointer to give the Grizzlies the advantage.
University finally swung into action, and when hooker Ricky Jackson scored following a lineout, and Umaga-Jensen followed up with a good try, Green Island led 17-12 at the break.
First five Sam Clarke converted his own try early in the second half to give the students the lead, and replacement Noah Perelini extended it with a try as the students capitalised on plenty of possession.
Frankie Elisara — at the ripe age of 43 — got Green Island back on level terms before Clarke, with a couple of minutes left, kicked the penalty that sealed University’s win.
Josh Hill led the University forwards well and Kieran McClea was polished behind the scrum. For Green Island, Woody Kirkwood and Josh Clark maintained a high work rate, and Ray Nu’u relished the midfield battle.
- ODT rugby writers
