32 v 38 
–
Southland finished superbly scoring two late tries, one a fine solo effort to replacement first five-eighths Scott Eade, to beat Otago 38-32 in a thrilling contest at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
Some outstanding contests have been played between the two rivals over the years but few can have produced the stunning backplay unleashed in this contest which saw Southland regain the Donald Stuart Memorial Shield.
Eade’s try got Southland to 31-32 and then replacement halfback Tayler Adams touched down after a sweeping length of the field try which summed up the progress Southland’s backplay has made in the latter part of the season.
Otago made an early statement when giving wing Buxton Popoal’i space on the blindside to take the attack to the line but Southland scrambled and only a penalty goal, landed by Otago’s Hayden Parker, was conceded.
Marty McKenzie replied six minutes later in the eighth minute.
The blindside avenue was utilised again for Popoali’i when he used his speed to startling effect to take advantage of an unguarded flank in the 14th minute.
But Southland, through their in-form second five-eighths Willis Halaholo, charged back into the game. Then, in the 20th minute Southland ran the ball from their own 22m area and fullback Robbie Robinson ran the ball and linked with centre Cardiff Vaega. He raced over halfway and slipped a kick ahead which Halaholo raced onto the ball to score.
Southland went close in the 25th minute when Robinson, standing at first five, slipped a kick behind the Otago defence and towards the goal-line but Otago lock Tom Franklin stepped in front of McKenzie, obstructing him, and a penalty try was considered by the TMO but in the end only a penalty goal was awarded for halfback Scott Eade to kick and give Southland the lead 11-10.
A dreadful mistake by Southland fullback Robbie Robinson yielded a try for Otago first five-eighths Hayden Parker just before the half-time break.
Robinson was looking to chip the ball over Parker’s head on the Southland 22m line but he didn’t get enough elevation and Parker was able to pull the ball down and race in for an easy try.
Southland struck almost from the start of the second half when from a midfield scrum, No.8 Elliot Dixon detached and fed Eade, who had moved back to first five after McKenzie was unable to stay after the obstruction on him. Eade took a gap and raced into the Otago22m to find centre Cardiff Vaega in support and he scored the try.
Then a try moments later was denied when a touch and go overhead pass by Robinson to wing Tim Cornforth was ruled to have drifted forward. Cornforth had linked with Robinson, whose infield kick had seen No.8 Elliot Dixon score. But it was over-ruled by the TMO.
Southland were able to regain the lead when Eade landed a 50m penalty goal but it was almost immediately undone when Otago created a turnover which saw centre Kieron Moffat score for Eade to add another conversion to give Otago a 27-21 lead.
Southland maintained their positive intent and had reward when after two five-metre scrums, they opted to take a tap penalty and moved the ball across the goalmouth and it was No.8 Elliot Dixon who placed a long arm over the line to score.
Popoal’i was a constant menace and it appeared he scored the vital try of the game 16 minutes from the end in Dunedin.
It came as Otago held a 27-26 lead in a game notable for the outstanding attacking approach from both sides which saw the lead change several times in a thrilling contest between the two old rivals.
Eade scored his try, breaking into space and rounding a defender to race unopposed to get Southland back to within a point at 31-32.
But then entirely in keeping with the nature of the game Southland backed that with a fine demonstration of their attacking development which flowed through the line and created a chance which was taken by replacement half Tayler Adams which, with Eade’s conversion, gave Southland a 38-32 lead.
Scorers:
Otago 32 (Buxton Popoali’i 2, Hayden Parker, Kieron Moffat tries; Parker 3 con, 2 pen)
Southland 38 (Willis Halaholo, Cardiff Vaega, Elliot Dixon, Scott Eade tries, Marty McKenzie pen, Eade 2 con, 2 pen).
HT: 20-11
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