Captain Kerry Stoddart led by example as Otago Spirit hung on to win a hard-fought battle against Waikato 25-22 at Hamilton on Saturday.
She was dynamic with her bursts up the centre and with her rugged defence in the final 10 minutes when Otago was defending desperately to hold its lead.
Otago's hopes of a place in the final depend on beating Auckland at the Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.
A tricky wind was blowing at Beetham Park and this made conditions difficult. Centre Kelly Brazier used her speed to outflank the defence to score Otago's first try after 10 minutes and she kicked a penalty goal after 39 minutes to give Otago an 8-7 lead at the break.
Prop Karina Nafatali (43) used her strength to score a try early in the second spell to stretch the lead to 15-7.
It was a fast game with both sides prepared to run the ball and test the defence.
Black Fern and former Otago wing Carla Hohepa used her blistering speed to bring Waikato back into the game midway through the second spell.
The game was in the balance when Otago backs and forwards combined in a desperate attack and a penalty try was awarded when wing Arna McLeod was tackled without the ball. This gave Otago a 10-point cushion but the lead was cut back to three when Waikato scored a converted try in the final minutes.
The other key players for Otago were props Pip Love and Karina Nafatali who tackled their hearts out and carried the ball upfield with their driving runs and the pick and go. First five-eighth Victoria Nafatali used her strength to burst through the defensive line and fullback Hailee Hurring was dangerous on the counter-attack.
Women's NPC
The scores
Otago Spirit ... 25
Kelly Brazier, Karina Nafatali tries, penalty try; Brazier 2 con, 2 pen
Waikato ... 22
Francea Hansen, Carla Hohepa, Honey Hireme tries; Chelsea Alley 2 con, pen.
Halftime: Otago 8-7.
