ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire identifies some key points from Otago's 43-30 win over Bay of Plenty at the weekend.
Building phases and playing at speed
They were not able to do it the whole game, but Otago looked their best when they were able to hold on to the ball and get quick delivery to their danger men. The forwards set a good platform at the breakdown and provided clean ball, allowing Otago to build phases at speed and put the Bay of Plenty defence under pressure. Otago executed it well at times, particularly early in the game. The big takeaway from that is that it is how they need to be trying to play the game. To do so they need to retain the ball and they do this best when they keep things simple and pick their moments to attack.
Couldn't hold ball in last 30 minutes
Otago made a raft of changes in the second half and the team became disjointed once they were made. After leading 43-16 with half an hour to go, Otago seldom threatened again and were forced to work hard to limit Bay of Plenty to just two more tries. Otago had little ball throughout this period, but much of that was their own doing. Three times they turned it over during the first phase and struggled to string two phases together thereafter. Twice they were held up after going too high into contact, while they dropped ball in the tackle too often as well. Notably it tended to be the starters making those mistakes too, so you can not blame the reserves too much, although none really made a huge impact.
Kick chase
Otago's kick chase was very good, as they got up fast to shut down the Bay of Plenty counter-attack and forced them to either clear or run it out from deeper in their own half. Sio Tomkinson was particularly prominent in the first half, often leading the line and making the tackle, while the wingers did well too and forwards got up quickly as a pack. Most significant was Tony Ensor, who ran 40 metres to score after a Josh Renton box kick. While the try may have been contentious, the effort he showed in the chase was what put them in the position to get the lucky call, so you cannot fault that.
Local players
One of the features of this year has been the local players on show for Otago. It was noticeable here too, with the entire starting backline being schooled within the region. There were two Otago Boys' players (Josh Renton and Sio Tomkinson), two from South Otago High (Matt Faddes and Tony Ensor) and one each from Waitaki Boys' (Peter Breen), Blue Mountain College (Gavin Stark) and Dunstan High (Jayden Spence). Alongside them there were two props and a lock from Otago Boys', as well as the replacement hooker, blindside flanker and fullback. Adam Knight, who went to Tokomairiro High School, brought the tally up to 14.
Need to learn to bury teams
The past three games have seen Otago notch up three wins, although each was far closer than it should have been. Against three of the four bottom-ranked teams in the second-tier competiton they have given up 30, 36 and 32 points. That is too many, especially after having established good leads. After running up a big score, this team needs to learn to put teams away and not give them a sniff.
TMO calls
There was a lot of talk about the TMO over the weekend, even before this game, and a couple of the decisions late in the first half will only add to the discussion. Otago's third and fourth tries were probably lucky to be given. The replay showed Tony Ensor to have bounced the ball on his try and even he seemed surprised when it was given. There was clearly separation between hand and ball and the try probably should not have been awarded.
Liam Coltman's try was contentious too, a 50-50 decision at best. There was something white grounded that could momentarily be seen in the replay, although it was not overly clear if that was the ball or not. With those two tries and their conversions contributing 14-points, they were pivotal decisions, as Otago went into halftime with a 13-point buffer and in control of the game.
BoP attack too lateral
The Bay of Plenty attack did not offer much in the way of direct play, often passing across the field and running out. All the Otago defence had to do was drift across and cover the ball, often hardly even having to make a tackle to force their opponents into touch. Notably two of their tries came through going through the middle, while they also made a couple of good breaks around the fringes too. They probably should have looked there a bit more, as continually throwing it wide became predictable and did not ask enough questions of the Otago defence.
Huge improvement
Everything else aside, this Otago team has come a long way since the start of the season. Some of the personnel changes have helped, but in a lot of places players have just gotten better. Josh Renton would go close to the most improved, providing great service and showing good vision and execution with a handy kicking game, while running good support lines. A change in tactics has no doubt helped him, but he deserves credit. Likewise Kaide Whiting has emerged as a handy back-up and has not let the team down when coming on in recent weeks.
In the forwards Hisa Sasagi keeps getting better and gets through a lot of work, as does Blair Tweed. Naulia Dawai has been a revelation and after a few impactful performances off the bench, has gone strength to strength as a starter, carrying strongly, adding energy and making tackles.
Out wider Tony Ensor has had his two best games in an Otago jersey, stamping the errors out of his game and providing a genuine threat, while Matt Faddes looks comfortable at centre.
