Miter Cup 10: Otago ignores Josh Ioane’s absence to hit Northland

Otago’s new scoring weapon, Freedom Vahaakolo, helped himself make two more attempts as the men of the Deep South overcame the loss of Josh Ioane and Vilimoni Koroi to defeat Northland at Dunedin.

The all-star duo were in the stands as punishment for ‘breaking team protocol’ earlier in the week after having too many drinks, but they saved themselves further embarrassment when their teammates put on a clever display at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Midfielder Jono Hickey was presented with the number 10 jersey and performed admirably, but received wide support as wing Jona Nareki and Michael Collins stepped up to share the play-making burden.

Nareki was outstanding, engaging in every part of the game, and it was fitting that he provided the assist for the game’s first attempt to Vahaakolo, making a good pass for the No. 14 to crash into the corner after 13 minutes. .

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In both attack and defense, Nareki was everywhere in an exhibition that showed his growing maturity as a footballer.

With Ioane and Koroi in the stands, Nareki took it upon himself to lead the way in a display that will delight Otago coach Tom Donnelly and new Highlanders boss Tony Brown.

Meanwhile, Vahaakolo, the former Ponsonby winger, has gotten used to collecting tries since his Otago debut in the first week of the Miter 10 Cup.

He added to his account after 34 minutes, appearing on the left side to finish off a pass from Hickey, and Otago took a useful 13-0 at halftime after 40 minutes of industry from the home side.

The Taniwha just couldn’t make their game work in the first half, and Otago also had the most effective play.

The cornerstone of Otago’s solid scrum, Josh Hohneck, joined the scoreboard after 45 minutes.

The big No. 3, who has added a lot to Otago this season after a spell in the Northern Hemisphere, was launched from a short distance to push Otago to a 23-0 lead, and the game looked done and dusted.

However, Northland was not finished.

First, veteran running back Rene Ranger finished a deft scrum move down the right after 60 minutes, and then big man Tom Robinson unleashed another attack wave with an impressive run.

But Otago kept coming up with the big plays when there was pressure.

Hooker Liam Coltman, who had another impressive outing, had a major turnover, while midfielder Matt Whaanga was physical on defense.

With less than 10 minutes to go, Northland launched another foray down the right side after a more graceful play from Ranger, but the excellent Kara Pryor fumbled on contact and Northland’s hopes of a comeback were dashed.

Otago then plunged a dagger into their hearts with an attempt by Ricky Jackson in the 76th minute to seal the victory on bonus points, after harder work from his forwards.

Ioane and Koroi watched the game from the stands, and are likely to return to the side for the trip to Canterbury next weekend.

However, they will be greatly relieved that their teammates have adjusted to their absence with a brave display of bonus points that will send them to the top of the championship table ahead of Hawke’s Bay’s game against Manawatū on Saturday.

Otago 30 (Freedom Vahaakolo (2), Josh Hohneck, Ricky Jackson tries, Jono Hickey 3 cons, 2 pens) Northland 7 (Attempt by Rene Ranger, Scam by Dan Hawkins): HT: 13-0.

MVP Points: 3 Jona Nareki, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Freedom Vahaakolo