There have been some awfully bad years.
Otago flirted with relegation in 1978 and nearly dropped out of division one.
People of a certain vintage still grumble about it now. But, in hindsight, that was not so bad.
Try 2014 — that was much worse. Having been stuck in the second-tier Championship for several years, Otago missed the playoffs and finished in what was effectively 13th place.
But 2010 was arguably the low point. Otago won just two of their 13 games and finished dead last in the 14-strong competition.
Those seasons came to mind on Saturday as Otago stumbled to a 38-14 loss to Bay of Plenty in Rotorua.
It was an error-ridden performance completely void of any solace for the suffering fans.
Even when the home team were reduced to 14 players for the final six minutes, Otago were unable to gain any traction.
The first half defensive effort was, well, limp.
The defence got better in the second half. But Otago missed 30 tackles in total — 10 more than Bay of Plenty.
The lineout was wonky.
They turned the ball over 17 times.
The ball carrying was, for the most part, ineffectual. There was not a lot of creativity on show.
And some of the players Otago ought to be able to rely on had stinkers.
You can put the captain in that bracket.
Sean Withy had an impressive season for the Highlanders and he leads the NPC in tackles made. But he missed several key tackles on Saturday.
Jona Nareki’s work rate was admirable. But he looks like he has lost a yard of pace and there has not been much evidence of a sidestep this season.
He also gave up awfully early on Cole Forbes. Had he kept chasing he would have got him, because Forbes had to hop to the tryline having strained his hamstring.
Highlanders recruit Tom Sanders has been anonymous since suiting up for Otago.
They are the type of men you need playing well when you have a horde of younger players still making their way at NPC level.
Not everyone looks that motivated, which poses the question of whether the coaching staff are getting the best out of their players.
Otago find themselves in 13th place with one win from five games. Does that seem like a decent return for the quality of players they have available?
Coach Tom Donnelly was reappointed on a two-year term at the end of last season despite guiding his side to a disappointing fifth in the Odds pool.
News the job would not be advertised was greeted with some surprise.
Otago trumpeted the fact they had 23 players with Super Rugby experience in that squad, yet they missed out on a place in the playoffs.
There is still time left this season to inch back from the edge of the cliff, but they desperately need a win over North Harbour in Albany tonight.
It is storm week, so Otago have made a series of changes for the game.
Regular fullback Sam Gilbert has been missing since he hobbled off with a hamstring complaint during the 33-32 loss to Hawke’s Bay last month.
Midfielder Thomas Umaga-Jensen picked up an injury against the Steamers and is also missing from the game-day 23.
Jack Leslie gets another opportunity in his absence and has looked like one of the more inventive Otago backs.
Nathan Hastie will start at halfback.
He made an impact when he came on against the Bay of Plenty, as did hooker Ricky Jackson, who gets the start ahead of Henry Bell.
Blindside flanker Will Stodart will make his debut and join rookie Harry Taylor and Sam Fischli in a green loose forward trio.
Nareki will start from the bench for his 50th game for the province, while back-up lock Josh Hill will captain the team.
NPC
Albany, 7.05pm
Otago: Finn Hurley, Josh Whaanga, Jake Te Hiwi, Jack Leslie, John Tapueluelu, Ajay Faleafaga, Nathan Hastie, Sam Fischli, Harry Taylor, Will Stodart, Josh Hill (captain), Fabian Holland, Saula Ma’u, Ricky Jackson, Rohan Wingham. Reserves: Henry Bell, Abraham Pole, Jermaine Ainsley, Will Tucker, Sean Withy, James Arscott, Jeremiah Asi, Jona Nareki.
North Harbour: Shaun Stevenson, Kade Banks, Moses Leo, Alapati Leiua, Sofai Maka, Oscar Koller, Siaosi Nginingini, Lotu Inisi, Karl Ruzich, Wallace Sititi, Mahonri Ngakuru, Cameron Christie, Nicholas Mayhew, Ray Niuia, Tevita Langi. Reserves: Shilo Klein, Sione Mafile’o, Fatongia Paea, Cameron Suafoa, Tamarau McGahan, Jamie Booth, Bryn Gatland, Tom Barham.
