Tasman Triumphs in Thrilling 31-27 Victory Over Otago

Tasman secured a dramatic 31-27 victory against Otago in a closely contested match held in Nelson on March 2, 2024. The game was charged with emotion, particularly for Tasman’s captain, David Havili, who expressed his feelings during a post-match interview. The rugby community had recently lost Shane Christie, a former player for both Tasman and the Highlanders, which served as a motivating factor for both teams throughout the match.

The contest was marked by numerous lead changes and high-stakes moments. Otago seemed poised for victory when Cameron Millar successfully converted a penalty with just two minutes left on the clock. However, a pivotal moment occurred when Tasman prop Rohan Wingham was penalised for being offside in the ruck. Choosing not to attempt a penalty kick, Havili directed his brother William Havili to kick for touch instead, setting up a critical play.

With precision, William Havili found the touchline, allowing reserve hooker Tomasi Maka to execute a powerful drive from five metres out. Despite Otago’s determined defensive efforts, Maka managed to ground the ball just as several of his teammates fell out of play, clinching a remarkable win for Tasman.

Otago’s head coach, Mark Brown, reflected on the match, noting that while his team displayed tenacity, they missed several key opportunities to secure the win. “I’m getting a lot of messages saying that we’ve done well and they’re a good team, but we should have iced that game, and that’s disappointing,” Brown said. He emphasised that the loss was not solely about the final try but stemmed from earlier missed chances.

In a physical match, injuries affected both sides. Hooker Liam Coltman and lock Will Tucker left the field late in the game with head injuries, but both appeared to be fine post-match. In contrast, Otago’s powerhouse prop Saula Ma’u suffered an arm injury in the first half, leaving him in considerable pain.

The match began with excitement as Tasman capitalised on an early mistake by Otago. After Jona Nareki dropped a pass, the ball fell into the hands of Mitch Drummond, who offloaded to David Havili for the opening try. Otago responded with a spectacular 96-metre effort, initiated by openside Lucas Casey who scooped up the ball near their try line. He passed to Nareki, who sprinted down the field, handing off to Josh Timu just short of the line for a stunning score.

Otago continued to build momentum, with hooker Henry Bell intercepting a Tasman throw and kicking the ball into space. Halfback Dylan Pledger chased it down, scoring another try and showcasing the visitors’ attacking prowess. Tasman was quick to respond, with Leicester Fainga’anuku breaking through the defensive line for another try, further intensifying the contest.

As the match progressed, Otago regained the lead, taking a 21-17 advantage into halftime. Millar’s penalty midway through the second half extended their lead to seven points, but Tasman was undeterred. A crucial turnover from Christian Lio-Willie thwarted Tasman’s advance, yet they persevered, with Maka eventually crashing over for the decisive try.

In other matches on the same day, Taranaki defeated Counties-Manukau 43-22, Canterbury rolled over Manawatū 53-14, Northland edged out Hawke’s Bay 27-22, and Bay of Plenty rebounded from a previous loss to defeat North Harbour 19-7.

The final score reflected a battle of resilience and determination, as Tasman celebrated a hard-fought victory while Otago faced the disappointment of missed opportunities.