Northland crush Otago to move into NPC final for the first time
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Northland are dreaming of their first NPC title after dispatching Otago with a sweeping 38-19 victory in the first semifinal in Whangārei on Friday night.
The Taniwha were already in uncharted territory with their best season at provincial rugby’s top level and a raucous crowd at Semenoff Stadium were rejoicing in the rain as they overpowered the visitors from the south.
Veteran prop Marcel Renata’s first-half double underlined their physical dominance and elegant No 10 Rivez Reihana booted four penalty goals to take a tense contest away from Otago.
Northland, who finished second and briefly held the Ranfurly Shield in a fabulous campaign under Ryan Martin, have never been NPC champions but only Canterbury or Taranaki will stand between them and history in their first final next weekend.
Third-placed Otago were full of confidence after trouncing Hawke’s Bay in last weekend’s quarterfinals, but they crumbled after half-time when they had led after Kieran McClea and Christian Lio-Willie’s tries. The game was done when Jona Nareki had the final say.
With mistakes piling up in the face of Northland’s forceful tackling, their hopes of clinching their first title since 1998 disappeared again after finishing runners-up to Canterbury last season.
The second half was gripped by nerves until the hosts overturned an Otago scrum with a monstrous drive and extended their lead with Heremaia Murray’s score. The terraces erupted and sensed Otago’s resolve was wilting in sodden conditions.
Reihana’s unblemished night off the tee (7/7) was complete with three penalties in the final 17 minutes and Nathan Salmon’s late intercept try sealed a memorable win.
Northland will learn who awaits in the decider when Canterbury host Taranaki in the second semifinal in Christchurch on Sunday.
If Canterbury win, the final will be in Christchurch because the defending champions were the top-ranked team in the regular season.
If Taranaki stun the red and blacks, Northland will welcome the 2014 champions to Whangārei.
