A Vilimoni Koroi hat-trick has inspired Otago past Manawatu in their second successful Ranfurly Shield defence of the season - winning 37-20.
In a tight game that was arm wrestle for the majority of the match, it was the current holders of the Log o' Wood who came out on top.
The visitors started off on the front foot, but it was Otago who scored first - Koroi pounced on a wayward pass to take the intercept and open the scoring.
But the Turbos hit back, Otere Black ran the ball upfield and halfback Jamie Booth slipped through the defence to level the scores at 7-7.
Manawatu continued to push on attack and managed to score another try through winger Adam Boult who flew down the left wing to take the lead.
The home side worked their way back into the game throughout the first half, Jona Nareki scoring for the southern men - a Josh Ioane penalty put them ahead before Koroi got his second of the match right on half time to take Otago ahead 22-17 at the break.
But it was all Otago in the second half, they kept the Turbos scoreless in the second forty.
Koroi had his third in the 63rd minute to put a dagger in the Turbos hearts, his try taking the lead to 27-20.
Sio Tomkinson sealed the game in the 74th minute as the Dunedin-based side ran away with a 17-point win.
The Turbos take on Northland next Thursday and Otago put the Shield back up for grabs, this time against Taranaki on Sunday.
Newshub.
