Otago shatter Lions' perfect season
Sat, 04 Oct 2008 11:25
Wellington's unbeaten record in the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup came to an end at the House of Pain on Saturday as they were downed 21-36 by a committed Otago side.
The win was the perfect send-off for departing Otago captain Craig Newby.
Down 3-14 at half-time, Otago scored five tries in the second spell at Carisbrook, two each by inspirational flank Adam Thomson and hard-running wing Karne Hesketh.
Otago were much more committed and urgent in inflicting defeat on a depleted Wellington outfit that lacked cohesion and combination as it fell off crucial tackles in the second half.
It was only Wellington's second loss in their last 19 games.
Despite the loss, Wellington finished at the top of the standings with 44 points whilst Otago increased their tally to 22.
With nothing but pride at stake, the game began at a franctic pace on a mild Dunedin night.
Wellington struck first after 11 minutes when left wing Tu Umaga-Marshall picked up a pass on the bounce, beat the tackle of Hesketh and raced 25 metres for a try. Daniel Kirkpatrick converted to make it 7-0.
Otago got onto the scoreboard in the 29th minute when Chris Noakes opened their scoring with a penalty.
Wellington scored their second try after 37 minutes when flank Scott Fuglistaller was given the overlap and raced over for a try in the corner. Substitute flyhalf Fa Fili converted to make it 14-3.
Otago struck three minutes into the second spell, hooker Peter Mirrielees passing to Hesketh on halfway and the wing beating two tackles to race 50 metres for a fine try. Noakes converted and Otago were back in the game at 14-10.
Five minutes later Hesketh crossed the line again after Sean Romans took a quick tap and broke. Hesketh sprinted 35 metres to his seventh try of the season. Noakes' conversion struck the upright but Otago had the lead at 15-14.
Otago extended the
lead after 20 minutes when, from a quick tap penalty, All Black flank Adam Thomson wrong-footed the defence and raced 22 metres to the posts. Noakes converted to increase the Otago lead to 22-14.
The momentum was with Otago and Kirkpatrick missed a handy penalty attempt which would have brought Wellington back within range.
The killer blow came 16 minutes from the end when Otago left wing Alipate Fatefihi intercepted a wayward pass and raced 40 metres for a try under the posts. Noakes converted to make it 29-14.
Replacement Ma'a Nonu bashed over for Wellington's third try eight minutes from the end and Kirkpatrick converted to make it 29-21.
Thomson made the game safe for Otago when he latched on to another wayward Wellington pass and sprinted clear to the line. The departing Craig Newby converted to make it 36-21.
Scorers:
For Otago
Tries: Hesketh 2,Thomson 2,Fatefihi
Cons: Noakes 3, Newby
Pen: Noakes
For Wellington
Tries: Umaga-Marshall, Fuglistaller, Nonu
Cons: Kirkpatrick 2, Fili
Teams:
Otago: 15 Chris Noakes, 14 Karne Hesketh, 13 Brett Mather, 12 Dan Snee, 11 Andrew Parata, 10 Daniel Bowden, 9 Sean Romans, 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Adam Thomson, 6 Craig Newby (captain), 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Ross Kennedy, 3 Ben Nolan, 2 Peter Mirrielees, 1 Keith Cameron.
Replacements: 16 Jason Macdonald, 17 Jed Vercoe, 18 Uili Kolo'ofai, 19 Eben Joubert, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Alipate Fatafehi, 22 Glen Dickson.
Wellington: 15 Buxton Popoalii, 14 Tu Umaga-Marshall, 13 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 12 Michael Hobbs, 11 Joe Hill, 10 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Chris Masoe (captain), 5 Ross Filipo, 4 Api Naikatini, 3 John
Schwalger, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Neemia Tialata.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Tim Fairbrother, 18 Jeremy Thrush, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Tomasi Palu, 21 Fa'atonu Fili, 22 Ma'a Nonu.
Referee: Garratt Williamson
TMO: Josh Noonan
