Otago makes history against Auckland in ITM Cup - Rugby News
The Otago players have given their ITM Cup statistics a new look as they end their 35-year long losing streak at Eden Park against Auckland. They overcame the provincial side in Auckland, by 32-25 on July 20. Otago scored three tries in the match and Glenn
Dickson helped his side with 22 points in the record breaking match.
The Otago side was trailing by 15-9 at the interval and possibly heading towards yet another defeat. However, they bounced back in the game during the second part of the match. The Auckland’s players were dominating the Otago squad but the second-half belonged
to the visitors.
Glenn Dickson was the man to watch out for in the Otago stables as he remained successful in guiding the ball behind the scoring lines with different tactics. He kicked five penalties shots, a conversion along with a nicely executed try in the match. Collectively,
he scored 22 individual points for the Otago team in a very crucial match. He was joined by TJ Ioane and Buxton Popoalii to elevate their side to their maiden victory against Auckland.
Meanwhile, the Auckland team, which was looking strong in the first-half, crumbled under pressure in the second part of the match. They played well until the middle of the second-half but could not resist further the repeated attacks of Otago. However, they
scored three tries in the match, two from Joe Rokocoko and one by Pauliasi Manu, who started off the game on the benches. Gareth Anscombe scored 10 points for his team on two penalties and two conversion shots.
This was the second consecutive win for Otago in the ITM Cup as they defeated the North Harbour side in the opening match of the event with a huge margin of 46-29. Auckland was tagged as favourites for the match before the clash.
Otago will take on Hawkes Bay on July 24 in their next match of the ITM Cup, while Auckland will face the Wellington side on July 23.
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