The Otago Spirit bounced back from its most disappointing start to a season with a morale-boosting shellacking of Manawatu at Carisbrook on Saturday.
Three consecutive losses, the resignation of a coach and the suspension of two young players for smoking cannabis had made for an untidy, unwanted start to the national women's championship.
But, led by star backs Carla Hohepa and Kelly Brazier, the Spirit made the best possible statement by running rampant on a sun-drenched Carisbrook.
Hohepa (wing to centre) and Brazier (fullback to first five) had been shifted by returning coach John Kyle in an attempt to get the pair more involved.
The moves proved to be smart as each showed their pace and skills to score four tries against outgunned Manawatu.
Front-rowers Gemma Tuhega and Rachel Ovens and veteran back Anna Richards added to the 11-tries-to-two rout.
"It was fantastic.
We couldn't have asked for a better performance," Kyle said yesterday.
"We had a lot to prove.
But I'm delighted that the players showed what's gone on in the last few weeks doesn't reflect what they're about.
"They've got a great team spirit and they can be very happy with what they're doing."
All of the Spirit backs, fed by the crisp passing of halfback Zoey Berry, had fine games, Kyle said.
"If we get that good ball, we can be very hard to contain.
Both Kelly and Carla were absolutely outstanding, and you could see the other backs lifting as well," Kyle said.
The Otago forwards stepped up to give their backs some space and were strong in the set phases, Kyle said.
Otago faces a tricky final game on the road, against Auckland this Saturday.
But Kyle is optimistic the Spirit can perform well again.
"I think we can go up there with a huge amount of confidence."
Auckland was beaten 20-15 by Canterbury at the weekend.
Otago B was beaten 29-12 by Canterbury B in Christchurch on Saturday.
Otago led 7-3 at half-time, but the home side ran away with the game in the second half, as Otago failed to convert its opportunities.
Winger Hamish Johnstone and prop Ben Nolan scored tries, while Luke Reihana added a conversion.
Otago Under-19 was beaten 30-10 by Canterbury Under-20 at Bathgate Park on Saturday.
Canterbury scored three first-half tries and held an imposing 27-3 lead at the break.
Otago was a much improved team in the second half and scored the only try, through Guy Schwikkard.
