Otago stage fight back to upset Tasman

OTAGO have maintained their unbeaten record following an upset 30-27 national provincial championship rugby win over Tasman at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium yesterday.

It was championship team Otago’s first win over a premiership opponent this season after wins over Southland, Wellington, Northland and Bay of Plenty. And despite each team scoring three tries during the first mind, I hope it comes and it would be great, but right now I’m focussing on myself and what I’m doing here and hopefully that will come soon.’’

Warren has been coach of Wales since 2007, when Bryn was aged just 12 and he says he used to half, Otago first five-eighth Fletcher Smith provided all the second half scoring with three penalty successes to turn a 27-21 halftime deficit into a welldeserved win.

A frustrated Tasman side created opportunities during the second half, but couldn’t unlock a desperate Otago defence as errors continued to disrupt any momentum.

Tasman appeared to make the make regular trips there when he was younger, to spend time with dad. ‘‘When I was at school I used to get over there maybe twice a year, like for the Six Nations and end of year tour,’’ he said. ‘‘Now that rugby is pretty important to me, I can only get over there once perfect start when second fiveeighth David Havili dived in at the corner inside the opening minute, only for winger Alex Nankivell to have been ruled in touch earlier in the movement.

Instead it was Otago who blew the game open with two quick tries, the first to big No 8 and captain Paul Grant following a strong break by former Tasman winger Mitchell Scott and another to prop Craig Millar moments a year or once every two years. But he does get home a lot and mum goes over to see him, I speak to him most days on the phone too, so we keep in contact as much as we can.’’

Bryn has already pushed ahead of Matt McGahan in the later.

Then it was Tasman’s turn to erupt, a Marty Banks penalty finally getting Tasman on the board before two tries to Nankivell and Havili.

Otago 30 (Paul Grant, Craig Millar, Naulia Dawai tries, Fletcher Smith 3 pen, 3 con) Tasman 27 (Alex Nankivell, David Havili, Shane Christie tries, Marty Banks 2 pen, 3 con) HT: 21-27. first-five pecking order at Harbour this season and having made the move up from Waikato this year says he’s enjoying his time with the province. ‘‘I’m loving it. I was living at home before this in the Waikato, but I’ve been welcomed here really well.’’