Stags let in four second-half tries in preseason loss
Otago brought on an almost entirely new team in the second half and continued to dominate possession and territory as Southland continued to give away plenty of penalties.
The Southland Stags conceded 26 unanswered second-half points in its 31-7 loss to Otago in Dunedin on Friday.
The Stags opened the scoring after just six minutes when wing Michael Manson latched onto an intercept and was never going to be caught because of his impressive pace.
The Greg Dyer extras pushed Southland out to an early 7-0 lead.
However, that was it for the Stags for the day, in terms of scoring.
Otago hooker Ricky Jackson scored after 10 minutes as Otago started to dominate possession and territory.
Southland had to do a wealth of defending on the back of a high penalty account and encouragingly throughout that period in the first half it did hold Otago out.
Loose forward Blair Ryall in particular was a key figure in defence getting through plenty of work.
After that long period of defending the Stags actually put itself in a strong position to score late in the first half but was held up over the line after No 8 Dylan Nel took a quick tap from a scrum penalty.
Otago brought on an almost entirely new team in the second half and continued to dominate possession and territory as Southland again away plenty of penalties.
The preseason status probably halted referee Fraser Hannon from delving into his pocket and dishing out a yellow card or two following the series of infringements.
While the Stags held firm in the first half it wasn’t the case in the second half as Otago ran in four second half tries - two to hooker Henry Bell and two to outside back Josh Whaanga.
Whaanga is in his first year out of school and is the younger brother of Stags midfielder Matt Whaanga.
Josh looked more than capable at the provincial level which was highlighted when he showed good aerial skills clinging on to a crosskick to score one of his tries.
The Stags were provided the test they were probably after in terms of being put under pressure defensively.
For long periods Southland was up to the task but the reality is having to make that many tackles was always going to take its toll.
Added to the challenge was a fresh and sharp Otago backline in the second half led by the likes of Jona Nareki and Sam Gilbert.
In terms of the positives for Southland?
The scrum was good, led by tight-head prop Morgan Mitchell in the first half before he was subbed at halftime.
Blindside flanker Ryall highlighted he will be a real asset this season.
No 8 Dylan Nel in the first half, and young No 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa in the second half, also showed they can provide the Stags with some go-forward if given a chance.
The Stags now turn their sights to their competition opener against Waikato in Invercargill on Sunday, August 6.
