Kees Meeuws just wants to scrum. The veteran of the front row, who is showing no signs of slowing down despite his 36 years, says referees just need to let the scrum go.
Though he was careful to button his lip fully about what he thought of the shambles which resembled the scrummaging contest on Saturday night, he felt it is best left to the front row to sort out any problems.
"It's been three weeks now where I think the referees are making it more difficult than it should be.
"It should be down there, call, engage and bang, we're in there," he said.
He was talking to the referee throughout the game and was at a loss of why he was penalised late on for an indiscretion at scrum time.
He felt referees were erring on the side of caution too often and being too slow calling the front rows together.
He said Otago had played well in patches, but against a dangerous team like Wellington, could not give away any half chances.
"We're not far away. We just need to get those little things right.
"We're an exciting team and we gave glimpses tonight of what we can do. We've just got to deliver that week in, week out."
The scrum battle probably summed up the game, with both sides good at times, and then poor at other periods.
Otago had got off to a flying start with second five-eighth Josh Tatupu scoring in the first minute, taking advantage of a poor kick by Wellington.
But Wellington was too good a team to not finish in front at the end.
Aided by some poor work by Otago, through botched kicks and bad handling, Wellington had more than enough chances to win the game, and actually butchered a couple of real opportunities.
It won the game in the middle period of the second half when Julian Savea scored a try after a clever cross kick by Fa'atonu Fili.
Lively halfback Alby Mathewson then sealed the win when he showed lightning pace to score under the posts from a scrum 10m out.
Otago was its own worst enemy, and needs to realise quickly the game is won by having the ball.
Too many times the ball was turned over by Otago, and there was much inaccurate kicking.
Its set piece could have been better and lock Hayden Triggs won himself no admirers when he strangely went for a kick ahead 5m from the line in the dying stages.
If Otago had scored then it would have scored two bonus points but in the end left with none.
Ben Smith set up Otago's second try with a nice off-load to Chris Small after Glenn Dickson made a bust past the Wellington defence.
Dickson was very hot and cold, while up front captain Alando Soakai tried hard and never gave up.
Savea looked dangerous on the wing, while Mathewson showed why he is in the All Black frame.
Otago v Wellington
The scores
Wellington 35
Julian Savea 2, Jeremy Thrush, Alby Mathewson tries, Fa'atonu Fili 3 cons, 3 pens
Otago 22
Josh Tatupu, Chris Small, Fetu'u Vainikolo tries, Glenn Dickson 2 cons, pen
Halftime: 17-12 Wellington
Crowd: 4500
