North Otago vs South Canterbury Review

North Otago produced another Houdini act to come from behind and beat South Canterbury, 17-16, at Alpine Energy Stadium on Saturday and thus also take the Hanan shield from the holders and retain a one point lead over Wanganui at the top of the Heartland table.

North Otago made hard work of a game it should have controlled but lack of tactical leadership on the paddock and a determination to play to the oppositions strength almost brought about the visitors downfall before South Canterbury played into North Otago’s hands when it made a multitude of changes to its dominant pack in the final quarter and let North Otago back into the game.

For North Otago co coach Barry Matthews it was another frustrating effort.

“It was a shocking performance, absolutely terrible.  We decided at halftime to use numbers and get it wide and we finally got it wide in the 36^th minute of the second half and scored a try.  So many times we had numbers, we had overlaps and guys got greedy and tried to do it on their own.  After the game it was the biggest tongue lashing I’ve ever given a side I’ve coached.  Every team I’ve coached I’ve earnt the respect of the team and that game was there for the taking.  But on the paddock the players just didn’t do what they were supposed to do and this has happened all the way through.”

Rest assured there’ll be changes for the Mid Canterbury game.

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North Otago vs Buller Review

North Otago retained its unbeaten record in a tense, exciting encounter against Buller at Victoria Square on Saturday with the game decided in the last 30 seconds of play with North Otago grabbing an 11-8 victory to remain at the top of the Heartland table with two rounds remaining.

Buller, which had suffered its first loss the previous Saturday at the hands of Thames Valley, were the front runners for 79 of the 80 minutes before North Otago first five eighth Ben Patston kicked the ugliest dropped goal one is ever likely to see to snatch the victory.

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North Otago vs Buller Preview

Expect some new tactics from North Otago when it meets Buller at VictoriaSquare in Westport on Saturday at 1.00p.m.  North Otago with a draw with Poverty Bay its only blemish so far, heads into round six with a three point lead over Wanganui (20) and Buller (20).  Buller won its first four games before losing to Thames Valley by a mere two points last Saturday.  Its play is built around a solid hardworking forward pack led by Phil Rossiter, while it has some fine finishers in the backline with Penejamini Nabainivalu, William Saukuru and Temi Faifua scoring ten of the 17 tries that Buller have recorded so far this season.  

Whilst North Otago coach, Barry Matthews was not prepared to elaborate earlier in the week on the change of tactics, one must expect that North Otago counterattacking ability will not be put on the backburner for 80 minutes.

Matthews was not without respect for Buller.

“Buller has played very well in the games so far.  They’ve got a very good pack that works very hard and they’ve got a couple of finishers in the backline.  But for us it will be trying to turn more opportunities into points.  We have a tendency to score points and then let the opposition back into the game with some soft tries.  We’re getting there but we’re nowhere near what we are capable of producing but hopefully we’re starting to iron out little individual errors  but we’re still a long way off.”

Buller co coach Craig Neil stated that on Thursday morning that they were expecting heavy rain so much so that he would be having training indoors that evening.  Whether North Otago successfully adapts to the conditions is another matter.

North Otago has made two changes to the side that beat Horowhenua-Kapiti.  Tight head prop Rob Mafile’o replaces Palenapa Mafi who is being rested while Lemi Masoe replaces Chris Talanoa on the

right wing.

In other Heartland games Wanganui should pick up maximum points against Horowhenua-Kapiti, Thames Coast should beat East Coast, Poverty Bay should be too strong for Wairarapa-Bush and West  Coast should edge out King Country.  The other big game of the round sees South Canterbury (16pts) host Mid Canterbury (16pts) in what will be a defining game for both sides.

North Otago: Billy Guyton, Lemi Masoe, Faaitu Tuamoheloa, Luke Herden, Ben Patston, Whiria Meltzer, Hamish McKenzie. Tevita Fifita, Willie Tahitua, Josh Collier, Taua Limuloa, Eric Duff, Rob Mafile’o, Will Hurst, Ralph Darling (C).

Heartland Championship Points Table

Points Table After Week 4