{"id":4465,"date":"2016-09-17T16:20:25","date_gmt":"2016-09-17T04:20:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/?p=4465"},"modified":"2016-09-17T21:44:24","modified_gmt":"2016-09-17T09:44:24","slug":"otago-overcome-north-harbour-for-sixth-straight-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2016\/09\/17\/otago-overcome-north-harbour-for-sixth-straight-win\/","title":{"rendered":"Otago overcome North Harbour for sixth straight win"},"content":{"rendered":"

Follow @RedefinedRugby<\/a><\/p>\n

\"DUNEDIN,
DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Jonathan Ruru of Otago gets the ball away during the round four Mitre 10 Cup match between Otago and Tasman at Forsyth Barr Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Dianne Manson\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Otago juggernaut rolled on in Dunedin with a hard fought 24-13 win over an adventurous North Harbour side at Forsyth Barr Stadium.<\/p>\n

While Otago’s attack has been heralded this season, it was their defence which was just as influential in this match. The backline was up fast and scrambled well whenever North Harbour\u2019s dangerous backs made a break while the pack defended the line stoutly and repelled the visitors big ball runners.<\/p>\n

North Harbour looked anxious to get the ball out wide to their dangerous outside backs early in the first half and made a number of simple errors to let Otago jump to an early lead. Three Fletcher Smith penalties and fortuitous try to prop Craig Millar gave the home side an early 14-3 lead under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium.<\/p>\n

With the early nerves settled, North Harbour managed to maintain possession and cross the Otago line from a well worked back move which created space for centre Matt Vaega. The visitors grew in confidence from the Vaega try and closed Otago\u2019s lead to 14-13 at the break with first five Bryn Gatland striking his second penalty of the game.<\/p>\n

Like they have done all season, Otago came out strong in the second half to put North Harbour on the back foot. Showing great determination and ball continuity, Otago worked the ball close to the North Harbour line before hooker Sam Anderson-Heather crashed over from close range to stretch the lead to 21-13.<\/p>\n

North Harbour didn\u2019t stop throwing the ball around in the second half, but the Otago defence held firm. By not committing as many numbers to the break down, Otago managed to hold off repeated attacks from the visiting side and scrambled well whenever North Harbour broke away.<\/p>\n

North Harbour had one last chance to secure a 7-point losing bonus point, but the fast Otago defence forced another error to secure a hard fought victory and stay unbeaten in the Mitre 10 Cup.<\/p>\n

For North Harbour, the midfield combination of Michael Little and Matt Vaega were a constant threat on attack and powerful on defence while first five Fletcher Smith steered the ship well for Otago.<\/p>\n

Otago captain Paul Grant said: \u201cThe boys are pretty tired, there was a lot of running out there. North Harbour are a dangerous team but the boys stuck hard and defended well to the end.\u201d<\/p>\n

Next up for Otago is a blockbuster south island clash against Premiership leaders Canterbury in Christchurch next Saturday while North Harbour take on Championship cellar dwellers Southland in Albany. While Otago have all but sewn up a home semi-final, a victory for North Harbour over Southland will put them right into the play-off race. Lead cut to one with Gatland pen.<\/p>\n

SCORERS:
\nOtago 24 (Sam Anderson-Heather, Craig Millar tries, Fletcher Smith 4 pen, con)
\nNorth Harbour 13 (Matt Vaega try, Bryn Gatland 2 pen, con)
\nHT: 14-13<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Follow @RedefinedRugby The Otago juggernaut rolled on in Dunedin with a hard fought 24-13 win over an adventurous North Harbour side at Forsyth Barr Stadium. While Otago’s attack has been heralded this season, it was their defence which was just as influential in this match. The backline was up fast and scrambled well whenever North…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3348,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Otago overcome North Harbour for sixth straight win http:\/\/wp.me\/p4wlzH-1a1","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[34,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4465","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-npc-national-provincial-championship","category-rugbyheartland-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/mitre10.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4wlzH-1a1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11859,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2020\/06\/25\/revised-mitre-10-cup-draw-released\/","url_meta":{"origin":4465,"position":0},"title":"Revised Mitre 10 Cup draw released","author":"admin_hland","date":"June 25, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Revised Mitre 10 Cup draw released A revised Mitre 10 Cup draw has been released today by New Zealand Rugby with the competition due to kick off on Friday 11 September. More afternoon rugby is on the cards for Provincial Unions with the introduction of an extra Sunday afternoon fixture\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NPC - National Provincial Championship"","block_context":{"text":"NPC - National Provincial Championship","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/npc-national-provincial-championship\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/rhlad_m1017.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/rhlad_m1017.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/rhlad_m1017.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/rhlad_m1017.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7950,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2018\/10\/03\/week-eight-action-in-the-mitre-10-cup\/","url_meta":{"origin":4465,"position":1},"title":"Week Eight action in the Mitre 10 Cup","author":"admin_hland","date":"October 3, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"COMING UP THIS WEEK Week Eight action in the Mitre 10 Cup: COMING UP THIS WEEK Week Eight action in the Mitre 10 Cup: OTAGO v BAY OF PLENTY Wednesday\u00a03 October, 7.35pm at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Played: 39, 1938-2017 |\u00a0Otago wins:\u00a025\u00a0|\u00a0Bay of Plenty wins:\u00a014\u00a0 Last match: Bay of Plenty\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NPC - National Provincial Championship"","block_context":{"text":"NPC - National Provincial Championship","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/npc-national-provincial-championship\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/m10_larg.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/m10_larg.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/m10_larg.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/m10_larg.jpg?fit=995%2C621&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1303,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2014\/09\/09\/itm-cup-coming-up-this-week\/","url_meta":{"origin":4465,"position":2},"title":"ITM CUP : Coming up this week","author":"admin_hland","date":"September 9, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Follow @RedefinedRugby OTAGO v NORTHLAND Wednesday 10 September, 7.35pm at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Played: 44, 1936-2013 | Northland wins: 9 | Otago wins: 33 | Draws: 2 Last match: Otago 31 Northland 21, 09.10.13 in Whangarei (ITMC) Last Northland win: Northland 20 Otago 17, 30.07.11 in Whangarei (ITMC) Biggest\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "ITM Cup"","block_context":{"text":"ITM Cup","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/itm-cup\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/fbcv_new.jpg?fit=850%2C316&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/fbcv_new.jpg?fit=850%2C316&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/fbcv_new.jpg?fit=850%2C316&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/fbcv_new.jpg?fit=850%2C316&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1546,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2014\/09\/29\/gallant-old-golds-carry-day\/","url_meta":{"origin":4465,"position":3},"title":"Gallant Old Golds carry day","author":"admin_hland","date":"September 29, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Follow @RedefinedRugby 27th September 2014 NORTH OTAGO 22 v 19 SOUTH CANTERBURY @ Dunedin South Canterbury halfback Sekope Maea (left) tries to offload in the tackle of North Otago reserve fullback Chris Perry during the Heartland Championship match at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday. Photo by Peter McIntosh.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Heartland Championship"","block_context":{"text":"Heartland Championship","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/heartland-championship\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/1537873_956313607717806_8355571796533415822_o.jpg?fit=1200%2C811&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/1537873_956313607717806_8355571796533415822_o.jpg?fit=1200%2C811&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/1537873_956313607717806_8355571796533415822_o.jpg?fit=1200%2C811&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/1537873_956313607717806_8355571796533415822_o.jpg?fit=1200%2C811&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/1537873_956313607717806_8355571796533415822_o.jpg?fit=1200%2C811&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4917,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2016\/10\/28\/championship-final-preview-otago-v-north-harbour\/","url_meta":{"origin":4465,"position":4},"title":"Championship final preview: Otago v North Harbour","author":"admin_hland","date":"October 28, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Follow @RedefinedRugby Otago have been the team to beat in the Championship in 2016 but face an immense challenge from North Harbour if they are to be promoted to the Premiership. MATCH DETAILS: OTAGO v NORTH HARBOUR Friday 28 October 2016, 7.35pm at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Played: 36 (1986\u20132016)\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "RugbyHeartland News"","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/mitre10.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/mitre10.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/mitre10.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/mitre10.jpg?fit=1024%2C356&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6141,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2017\/08\/30\/mitre-10-cup-2017-preview-week-3\/","url_meta":{"origin":4465,"position":5},"title":"Mitre 10 Cup 2017 – Preview – Week 3","author":"admin_hland","date":"August 30, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Follow @RedefinedRugby Wellington's bid to relieve itself of Championship status in the Mitre 10 Cup has made a sound start with maximum points after two rounds. The team from the capital lead the championship, while defending champions, Canterbury, sit atop the premiership. This update features all your Mitre 10 Cup\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NPC - National Provincial Championship"","block_context":{"text":"NPC - National Provincial Championship","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/npc-national-provincial-championship\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/m102017.jpg?fit=1200%2C240&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/m102017.jpg?fit=1200%2C240&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/m102017.jpg?fit=1200%2C240&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/m102017.jpg?fit=1200%2C240&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/m102017.jpg?fit=1200%2C240&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4465","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4465"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4465\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4467,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4465\/revisions\/4467"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4465"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4465"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4465"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}