QBE Harbour v Otago - Match Report

Match Report - QBE Harbour v Otago

By NICK BEWLEY

A tireless effort by North Harbour's come up just short against a strong Otago outfit, as the hosts grinded their way to a 28-14 win in perfect conditions under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

It was a case of one step forward two steps backwards for head coach Steve Jackson.

"We managed to get ourselves in the game, but every time we did a couple of little silly errors crept in and Otago slipped away a bit further."

The hosts got the scoreboard ticking through the boot of ace goal kicker Hayden Parker, and the blue and golds went close to scoring the opening try of the match not long after only for Harbour wing Tevita Li to come up with a last gasp tackle to deny the hosts in the left corner.

Harbour turned staunch defence into hot attack with captain Bryn Hall making a sniping dart from the ruck to link up with Li who scored in the 14th minute to give the visitors a 7-3 advantage.

Otago hit right back with another Parker penalty, which was followed by a contender for try of the season with Fa'asiu Fuatai finishing a well-oiled set play off the lineout. It was Fuatai again crossing not long after for Tony Brown's men to extend their lead to 20-7.

Hot under the pump with a couple of minutes left in the half Harbour opted to kick a penalty to touch. It proved to be the right decision with Blues hooker James Parsons dotting down off the back of a powerful maul five metres out from the try-line.

Daniel Halangahu wasn't rattled after being a late inclusion in the starting side, the former Waratahs pivot slotted his second conversion attempt of the match to reduce the deficit to 20-14 at the end of the first half.

Despite being within a converted try of the lead, Jackson had some stern words to share in the changing rooms.

"We spent most of the half defending. We didn't play the game we wanted to play. Rugby is a simple game you have to get into the opposition half, build pressure and come away with points but we didn't do that. We did well to convert two out of the three opportunities we had."

Harbour's momentum from the end of the first forty was stopped at the start of the second, with Otago providing immense pressure at the ruck which resulted with yet another Parker penalty goal.

With the score at 23-14, the game opened up with both backlines making the most of some tired would be defenders.

It was Otago who made the most of continued possession and territory with flanker James Leijentes scoring the final try of the match, taking the full time score to 28-14, and leaving Harbour without any competition points for their effort.

Jackson's preparing for a thorough video review when the side return to Auckland.

"The players have to realise that they need to have a good look at themselves and look at the areas and the effort they put in individually. For some it won't pleasant watching, but they need to take that and learn. We only have five days to turn it around."

Next up on the busy ITM Cup schedule is Southland at QBE Stadium on Thursday 21. Prop Nic Mayhew won’t be fit to play after badly injuring his knee in this afternoon’s outing.

Otago 28 (Fa'asiu Fuatai 2, James Leijentes tries; Hayden Parker 3 pen, 2 cons). North Harbour 14 (Tevita Li, James Parsons tries; Daniel Halangahu 2 cons)

HT - Otago 20 - North Harbour 14.