Otago went to the well last night, and by halftime it was well and truly empty.
Showing plenty signs of wear and tear, and not surprisingly running out of petrol, Otago went down 49-16 to Tasman in Nelson.
Otago was always going to struggle in this match, just five days after a massive effort against Hawkes Bay in the Ranfurly Shield defence, and the blue and golds lacked any spark and energy.
The home team ran away with the game in the second half and had too much speed for Otago, which was chasing shadows all night.
It was the first win by Tasman over Otago, but right from when Otago winger Matt Faddes failed to catch the ball from a kick after just 20 seconds, you could tell what the result was going to be.
Otago failed to get much territory, its set piece was average, and the backline barely made a line break.
Tasman is a quality side, there is no doubt about that, but Otago was well off the pace.
The blue and golds did not help themselves by losing two men to yellow cards during the game.
Kieran Moffat cooled his heels in the first half after a clumsy challenge on Tasman fullback Marty Banks.
Liam Coltman was then given a 10 minute spell on the sideline midway through the second half with a clumsy tip tackle. He may not have heard the last of that indiscretion.
Otago hung in the game at halftime but the dam burst in the second half as the home team scored 29 points to a lone Hayden Parker penalty.
The best try of the game was the last, when Tom Marshall burst through the Otago backline right near his tryline, and kicked ahead. Tasman replacement Mitchell Scott picked up the bouncing ball and sprinted over.
Best for Otago was hooker Sam Anderson-Heather, while Parker did little wrong.
Joe Wheeler played well in his 50th game for Tasman but it is a pity he did not show the same aggression for the Highlanders earlier this year.
Marshall looked good for Tasman, but as a team it was much too good for the visitor.
Otago scored the first try of the game, running the ball to the tryline from a lineout, after 12 minutes. After Anderson-Heather and TJ Ioane were stopped just short, prop Craig Millar burrowed his way over to score his first try for Otago.
Tasman, though, enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the opening stages. Big No 8 Tevita Koloamatangi was denied when Buxton Popoali'i somehow knocked the ball out of his hands as he went to force the ball.
But Tasman could not be held out for long and after moving the ball from side to side, blindside flanker Liam Squire crossed out wide.
After Moffat's clumsy effort, Banks kicked the resulting penalty and within two minutes, Tasman went further ahead.
A nice run by Tasman left winger James Lowe presented an easy try for new Highlanders recruit Shane Christie.
Parker picked up a penalty a minute before halftime to leave Otago trailing 20-13 at the break.
Southland gained its first win of the season courtesy of a 20-16 victory over Waikato in Invercargill last night.
• Southland led 10-9 at the break, and scored two tries to win.
It is Waikato's third loss in a row.
Southland 20 (Cardiff Vaega, Josh Bekhuis tries; Marty McKenzie con, pen, Scott Eade con, pen), Waikato 16 (Semisi Masirewa try; Trent Renata 3 pen, con). Halftime: 10-9
Otago v Tasman
The scores
Tasman 49
James Lowe 2, Liam Squire, Shane Christie, Tevita Koloamatangi, Mitchell Scott tries, Marty Banks 5 con, 3 pen
Otago 16
Craig Millar try, Hayden Parker con, 3 pen
Halftime: 20-13.
