Mitre 10 Cup: Second-half rally carries Otago home over Northland

Otago have continued their Mitre 10 Cup revival with a hard-fought 27-23 over Northland at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium.

After beginning their campaign with consecutive defeats, the southerners have now won their last two games to edge up the Championship standings.

Entering the final 20 minutes, their latest victory could have gone either way, with first-five Jack Debreczeni kicking the visitors to a 20-17 lead.

The turning point came five minutes later, when Otago captain Michael Collins turned down a very kickable penalty and opted for a centrefield scrum.

From the set piece, replacement Joketani Koroi crossed for a try to take the lead, which first-five Josh Ioane converted to extend.

Debreczeni kicked a penalty to close within a point down the home stretch, but Northland could not secure the possession they needed for one last drive and eventually conceded a scrum penalty for Ioane to make the result safe.

Northland led the contest 10-7 at half-time, with winger Tamati Tua scoring out wide and Debreczeni converting from the sideline. They consolidated that advantage with a converted try to Debreczeni soon after the restart.  

But the hosts charge back into contention with a try to Jona Nareki, converted by Ioane, who also slotted a penalty to bring his side on level terms

"It was hard work," said Collins afterwards. "We knew what Northland were going to bring in a stadium like this.

"We knew we just had to stick with them as long as we could and finish a few chances.

"We probably let that slip in the first half - I think we created a bit and didn't finish it. It's one of those ones you grind out, but we're happy with it."

The win elevated Otago into Championship semi-final contention, but defeat left Northland with just one win from four games.

The northerners will host Manawatu next Friday, while Otago face the southern derby against Southland in Invercargill the following night.

Otago 27 (Dylan Nel, Jona Nareki & Joketani Koroi tries; Josh Ioane three conversions & two penalties) Northland 23 (Tamati Tua & Jack Debreczeni tries; Debreczeni two conversions & three penalties)

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