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NPC
NOR vs OTA
NPC
Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei
Northland
vs
Otago
28
FT
31
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 28 - 31
That is all for now from Whangarei. Otago your winners this evening! This is Nicholas Friedlander signing out.
Otago remains alive. They didn't play the best, but with a superior bench they got home. Star of the show was Cam Millar yet again, who carved things up from first receiver. He took great options, and kicked superbly, with another flawless effort off the tee. He added another 16 points to his season tally - the question is will that be the last chance he has to add with it? Holland and Hurley were also impressive in the comeback, giving the southerners a chance. They need two of three results to go their way to get in, with the most plausible Waikato beating Canterbury, whilst denying the Cantabs a bonus point, and for Southland to take down North Harbour. The other result in play is for Counties to lose to Manawatu, but that seems highly implausible.
Northland's disappointing season comes to a disappointing end. They squandered a big half-time lead, scoring just one try in the second half which was only one to get them back into the contest. They shipped 21 straight, and that ultimately killed them off. Reihana's influence wained, and the forward pack started going backwards. They failed to arrested the slide with the introduction of the bench, and they end the season in the bottom three. They will look to bounce back next year.
It wasn't pretty, but with the civil defence force employed down in Dunedin, Otago had to call on the bomb squad to get them out of a real hole - but they did it - just. Fabian Holland particularly added plenty of impact, with some crucial plays towards the end of the contest. Cam Millar commanded things as the tide turned, and with an intercept and a try assist, he got his side over the line to a crucial victory. Northland responded late, but ultimately were left with too much to do.
80'
OTAGO HOLD ON TO KEEP THEIR FINALS HOPES ALIVE! Bower shot through, and had it stolen at the breakdown. Northland shot right to Salmon, who motored to the 22m line. Nalaga and Hastie held him up well, stripping it free to win the ball back! Hastie sends it back to Millar who hoofs it out to secure the win.
80'
Holland plucks a short restart out the sky at the second go, and Otago have it 10m from the line with time ticking down... they are just looking to close it out.
79'
NO TRY! Otago launched a fantastic rolling maul, with it rolling 18m downfield before it was eventually stopped just metres short. It was a case of pick and drive, before Casey went over the top! It was initially whistled as a try, but it was shown he was held up! Northland have a line dropout.
79'
Casey has scored, but they just need to check it... did he get this down?
77'
Evans collects a long kickoff, and Northland decide to run it! Nothing opened, so Hawkins looked to clear, but hesitated and was caught pinned in front of the sticks! He fired right to Reihana, who chipped ahead, but put it into touch! Lineout 20m from the line for Otago.