Herring praises his side

Ben Herring
Ben Herring
Otago coach Ben Herring has paid tribute to his side after another Ranfurly Shield triumph yesterday afternoon.

Otago led 20-14 over Waikato at halftime at Forsyth Barr Stadium and then pulled away in the second half to win 45-35.

It was the side's sixth successful shield defence of the season and also its second win in a row over a premiership team.

The side threw the ball round and scored some cracking tries.

Herring said it was a wonderful display from his side and he was rapt for the team.

"Again it was just heart and soul stuff and really intense. The camaraderie, the team playing as one is cool," he said.

"They are a great bunch of fellas and they draw everything out of themselves. There is a good environment and a good feel and they like playing for each other. Being mates off the field really helps.

"Then you chuck in a bit of an incentive with a trophy on the line, and it seems to have gone the right way."

Otago showed plenty of enterprise, keeping the trophy through some thrilling back play with flying wingers Vilimoni Koroi and Jona Nareki to the fore.

"Those two are special, and Purds [winger Henry Purdy] is special too. Our backfield players are playing out of their skin at the moment."

He said there was no secret about the way the side wanted to play under the roof, running the Waikato forwards round and moving the ball from side to side.

Halfback Rowan Gouws picked up a head knock in the first half and left the field but replacement Connor McLeod stood tall in his absence.

Canterbury comes to the stadium next Saturday night in the final shield game of the season. Herring was looking forward to that match, with his side keen to keep the shield for another summer.


 

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