Otago fired its best shot but came up short against a powerful Wellington side in its opening game at the Jock Hobbs Memorial under-19 national tournament in Taupo yesterday.
Wellington won the match 37-14 and goes through the semifinals on Sunday.
Otago coach Luke Herden said the side had to be proud of its efforts playing against a team which had plenty of stars and lots of size.
"The boys were outstanding and gave it everything. The Wellington side would have been bigger than any premier club side in Dunedin," he said.
"The guys just tackled their hearts out and did not give up at all."
The Wellington side included five players from its senior Mitre 10 Cup side and is heavily favoured to go deep into the tournament.
But Herden said Otago really took it to the bigger side and left everything out on the park.
"It was easily our best performance of the season. The score was in no way a reflection of the game. We had a couple of opportunities but for the last pass we would have scored."
Wellington led 10-9 just before the break before a penalty from Wellington extended its lead to four points at the end of the opening half.
Winger Adam Simpson scored the try for Otago and had a good game for the side along with midfielder Josh Timu.
Up front captain Slade McDowall was industrious and lock Axel Hohneck was into everything.
Front rowers Kilipati Lea and Teague McCoy also worked hard all day.
Halfback Connor McLeod scored three penalties to complete the scoring for Otago.
Midfielder back Hemaua Samisoni blew his hamstring and is unlikely to play any further part in the tournament.
It was a tough ask for Otago to take on the huge Wellington team but Herden said if Otago had beaten Canterbury a couple of weeks ago, it would have had an easier game yesterday.
The side will now look to recover and get ready for another game on Sunday. It will play off for places from fifth to eighth and is likely to take on Taranaki.
