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It looked like a romp in the park, with Otago scoring 12 tries and walloping North Otago 79-3 in a pre-season game at Whitestone Contracting Stadium yesterday.
But Otago coach Steve Martin was happy with his side in the first of its four games before the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Wellington on July 31.
"We set out to win the game and win it as comprehensively as we could, but we were really keen to run the patterns we'd been working on over the last week," he said.
"We wanted to release quick ball to our backs when we could and use our strike weapons out wide. On the whole, it was done pretty well."
Otago led 39-3 at half-time and added 40 unanswered points in the second spell.
Martin's team was particularly dominant at the breakdown.
"Getting numbers there is important but so is body position. We've actually brought out the old ruck machine that was used by Otago teams in the past so we can get that body position down and get a bit of grunt going."
Otago's first try was scored by second five-eighth Luke Herden, a former North Otago player, following a break from first five-eighth Chris Noakes.
Winger Karne Hesketh scored the first of his three tries from a turnover, flanker Hoani Matenga crossed minutes later, Herden latched on to a loose pass for his second try and Noakes completed the first-half scoring after toeing the ball on.
North Otago produced some solid defence in the third quarter, but the effort did not last and halfback James Kenny scored on his Otago debut.
Hesketh added two more, Matenga scored a second and Junior All Blacks halfback Sean Romans, Charlie O'Connell and Steven Setephano completed the scoring.
There was interest in the first run in an Otago jersey by former Warriors league player Michael Witt, who made a good break and scored a try but missed two conversions.
Martin was impressed with Kaikorai openside flanker Adam Hill, competing with Eben Joubert to back up established starter Alando Soakai.
"Adam was tigerish in the loose. He's had a very good club season, he's a homegrown player from Lawrence and he puts his body on the line," Martin said.
He was also pleased with Sam Young and James Kenny, both Lawrence players, who showed they were "not out of place at this level".
For North Otago, Peter Breen and Lemi Masoe were the best of the backs, while captain and No 8 Joe Mamea, flanker Samisoni Tongo Tongo and hooker Michael Essex showed fire, with Rangi Hepi making an impact when he came on in the front row.
Otago 79 (Karne Hesketh 3, Luke Herden 2, Hoani Matenga 2, Michael Witt, Chris Noakes, Charlie O'Connell, James Kenny, Steven Setephano tries; Noakes 4 conversions, penalty goal, Glenn Dickson 4 conversions), North Otago 3 (Peter Breen penalty goal).
Half-time: Otago 39-3.
Referee: Tim Baker.
- By Terry O'Neill