The Southland Boys’ first five had just taken yet another big hit, albeit this time late to secure a penalty with minutes to spare.
He shook off the pain and stepped up — his side still slightly stunned from flanker Gregor Rutledge being red carded minutes earlier — and slotted the kick to put the Otago Schools Rugby Championship title out of the reach of Otago Boys’.
It sealed a 22-10 victory for the home side, winning the Otago Daily Times Cup for the first time since 2017 in front of a loud Invercargill crowd at Les George Oval.
"We were pleased ... get that monkey off our back — third time lucky I suppose," coach Jason Dermody said.
"We attacked really well. We pretty much won the game on the back of our defence.
"Boys defended really well, sort of stopped the big Otago Boys’ forwards, stopped them getting their roll on which is what we wanted to do."
Southland Boys’ and Otago Boys’ both had chances in the opening minutes, the game being played at a frantic pace from the outset.
Both showed they were dangerous out wide, pushing for width, but equally were powerful up front.
The home side took first points when hooker Hoani Nikora-Wilson went over for his first of the afternoon to lead 5-0.
He grabbed his second 10 minutes later off the back of an outstanding lineout drive. Muliaina added the extras to push the side out to a 10-0 lead.
Three minutes later, Otago Boys’ finally got on the board. First five Will Thode banged over a tricky penalty.
Otago Boys’ had their opportunities. Southland Boys’ were penalised for not rolling away and the visitors awarded a lineout on the 22.
But their set piece was not straight — a feature from both in the final — and Southland Boys’ took a 12-3 lead at halftime.
Otago Boys’ put in a stoic defensive effort, keeping Southland Boys’ out several times and forcing errors.
But when Southland Boys’ strung phases together, they looked potent.
Halfback Noah Sutton recycled nicely from the ruck, took the smallest of steps and dished off to winger Kiseki Fifita whose line put him over to extend the lead 19-3.
Otago Boys’ prop Taitelea Tasi-Cordtz was the best on the park for his side, making some monster carriers and being instrumental on defence.
The home side were pinged for too many infringements, sending try-scorer Nikora-Wilson to the bin.
The visitors finally got their first try through winger Mason Lome-Hindle. Thode converted to trail 19-10.
Then came the red card. Otago Boys’ were hitting some pace up the field when Thode and Rutledge clashed heads in a tackle, leaving the home side with 14 players again.
But they held on to secure the title.
In the other finals, Wakatipu beat Otago Boys’ 2nds 34-26 in the middle four and Dunstan downed St Kevin’s 45-40 in the bottom four.
Southland Boys’ will now play Christchurch Boys’ in the South Island-wide final in Invercargill next weekend.
Otago Schools
The scores
Southland Boys’ 22
Hoani Nikora-Wilson 2, Kiseki Fifita tries; Mika Muliaina 2 con, pen
Otago Boys’ 10
Mason Lome-Hindle try; Will Thode con, pen
Halftime: Southland Boys’ 10-3.
