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Joe Allison / Getty Images
Otago center Josh Timu walks away from Kieran Read at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Father John divided the opposition defenses on Carisbrook Highway. On Sunday, Josh Timu issued a reminder of the family’s genetic gifts to inspire Otago to victory over Counties-Manukau in Dunedin.
Otago, coached by Tom Donnelly, beat Kieran Read’s Counties-Manukau 40-22 at Forsyth Barr Stadium, their fourth win of the season tying them with Hawke’s Bay, the team that took away the Ranfurly Shield, at the top of the league standings. Miter Cup Championship 10.
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John’s son Josh Timu scored a graceful double for Otago in their victory.
Timu, the son of the former All Blacks wing who played center, formed a compelling association in midfield with captain Michael Collins and caused nightmares for the defense by scoring two of Otago’s six attempts.
His second, under the posts with a deft chip kick from Josh Ioane, was an attempt to give the go-ahead to the hosts who were down 22-21 with a quarter to play.
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Forwards Josh Dickson and Charles Elton, two of the best in a powerful group from Otago, dived each afternoon to be safe after the visitors gave them a scare by coming back from 21-3 against.
Former All Blacks captain Read was prominent for the counties on defense and offense, but the visitors’ scrum creaked under the tension of Otago and the hosts ultimately had too much firepower.
Joe Allison / Getty Images
Josh Dickson crosses on one of his two attempts for Otago.
The counties are now 1-5 on the season with a lone win over Manawatu, who is in last place. Defense remains their big problem, having conceded an average of 32 points per game before Sunday’s 40 points.
Their away fights continued as well, as they had not won away from home since last year’s second round against North Harbor.
Hooker Liam Coltman spent time at the All Blacks camp and showed himself with a high-quality performance to ensure that Otago flew off the blocks under the roof at home.
Timu crossed for his second career attempt in the ninth minute, a magnificent solo effort as he ran 50 meters after a cut in midfield with Ioane.
With Coltman commanding the rolling maul and the scrum deflecting Counties’, Otago had the game at his mercy as they ran to 21-3 after 25 minutes, Freedom Vahaakolo sprinting 40 meters down the right flank for a cracking attempt.
Joe Allison
Counties Captain Orbyn Leger finds a brick wall defense of Otago in Dunedin.
Flanker Alamanda Motuga crossed for the visitors at halftime to make it 21-8, then suddenly took the lead as Counties took some momentum and confidence and showed off his immense attacking power.
Attempts by captain Orbyn Leger and replacement Viliami Taulani, of a very flat pass and regulated as fair by referee Angus Mabey, saw them lead by one with 23 minutes to go.
But Otago got the jolt they needed and, after stumbling home in the great shield match two weeks earlier, he wasn’t going to let this one slip away.
TAKE A LOOK
Otago 40 (Josh Timu 2, Josh Dickson 2, Freedom Vahaakolo, Charles Elton tries; Josh Ioane 5 scam) Counties-Manukau 22 (Alamanda Motuga, Orbyn Leger, Viliami Taulani tries; Baden Kerr 2 with, pen). HT: 21-8.
MVP: 3 Josh Timu, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Etene Nanai-Saturo.
