Inept. Sadly, there can be no other way to describe Otago's performance against Counties-Manukau in Pukekohe on Saturday.
One wonders how the players can have the gall to pick up their wages this week after nothing short of a completely woeful effort over a gutsy but limited Counties-Manukau side.
If this is any indication of how the season will unfold, then throw the white flag up now.
It would be hard to think of a worse game played by the men in blue and gold in recent years.
Perhaps the thumping by Wellington in the first game of 2007, or the heavy loss to Waikato in 2008, but this was as poor as they come.
The most disappointing aspect of the performance was Otago's lack of basic skills - dropping the ball, unable to clear the ball from the back of the ruck, poor line kicking, shocking option taking, and frighteningly bad reads in defence and on attack.
Otago came back slightly in the second half but by then the game had gone.
Otago coach Phil Mooney spoke this week about the team needing to front up when the going got tough.
It got tough on Saturday and no-one stepped forward.
Even when Counties-Manukau twice had a man yellow-carded, Otago failed to capitalise.
Counties-Manukau is a side that rides on momentum and confidence and had to be knocked back early.
But sloppy dropped balls at crucial times and some options you would not see at under-7 level let the home side get well in front by halftime.
Although it would hard to pick on any particular player for their bumbling, halfback Sean Romans had a game to forget.
The painting of the Sistine Chapel probably took a shorter period than it did for Romans to clear the ball at times, while first five-eighth Glenn Dickson went into his shell and his line kicking was well below average.
Second five-eighth Josh Tatupu was inaccurate at times and fullback Chris Small looked ill at ease throughout.
Up front, the set piece was reasonable but the forward pack was rather one-dimensional at times, and too high at the breakdown.
Captain Alando Soakai's hands were poor throughout.
Replacement loose forward Eben Joubert showed a bit of fire when he came on but the horse had bolted by then.
The home side scored three tries in the first half, the first by winger Ahsee Tuala after a nice break by centre Siale Piutua.
Piutua then scored the second try taking advantage of an Otago turnover.
Classy Counties-Manukau fullback Tim-Nanai Williams scored the third try of the first half, after the home side benefited from Dickson kicking the ball dead from a penalty.
An intercept try from Tuala 14 minutes into the second half killed the game for Otago, as he ran 98m to score.
Small scored a try near the end, but it was no consolation.
One wonders where Otago goes from here.
The side really can only get better.
One shudders to think what will happen if it gets worse.
Otago v Counties
The scores
Counties-Manukau 29
Ahsee Tuala (2), Siale Piutau, Tim Nanai-Williams tries; Dean Cummins pen, 3 con
Otago 13
Chris Small try; Glenn Dickson 2 pen, con
Halftime: Counties 22-6
