The venue is meant to be a graveyard for bowlers but it has been the batsmen who have struggled.
Wagner took five for 55 and Duffy three for 21 as the home side collapsed to be all out for 145 in reply to Otago’s paltry total of 164.
But with the pitch flattening out, the visitors built on their slim first-innings lead of 19 runs and were 193 for two at stumps on day two. Neil Broom led the counterattack with an undefeated 92 and had strong support from Josh Finnie, who was at the wicket with him on 50. The pair will resume this morning with Otago leading by 212.
"The game is set up nicely now," Otago coach Rob Walter said.
"We’ve got to bat well [today] and make sure we put ourselves in a good position.
"[Broom] batted beautifully and it was really good for a young guy like Joshua to bat with a guy who is now a seasoned professional.‘‘It has been an outstanding innings so far."
Wagner, who has just returned from international duty with the Black Caps, ran through the Auckland tail and also accounted for the dangerous Colin de Grandhomme and No3 batsman Robbie O’Donnell. It was his 27th first-class five-wicket bag and 15th for Otago.
But, arguably, Duffy had more impact. He removed prolific opener Jeet Raval (28) and the unpredictable Rob Nicol (9) before they could inflict too much damage. The ball that bowled Michael Guptill-Bunce for three was near to perfect. It jagged back and hit the top of middle stump.
As good as Wagner and Duffy have been, Auckland leg-spinner Tarun Nethula has been the star. The Indian-born 33-year-old took six for 36 to help dismiss Otago cheaply in its first innings.Brad Wilson was the first to perish to the wily campaigner. He got bowled around his pads after making a patient 56.
Wilson scored back-to-back hundreds against Central Districts last week and his departure was a big breakthrough for the home side.
Nethula’s third scalp was the highly prized wicket of Broom. He lured the former Black Cap right-hander into a sweep shot and trapped him lbw for 36.
Christi Viljoen completed Nethula’s five-wicket bag when he prodded forward and popped a catch to the man in close on the onside without scoring.
No11 Rhys Phillips was the bonus sixth wicket when he tried to clout Nethula to midwicket and succeeded only in getting an edge to first slip.
Earlier in the innings, Ryan Duffy was felled by a bouncer from fast bowler Lockie Ferguson. The ball deflected from his helmet on to the stumps, dismissing the batsman for 18. He is fine but will probably not bat again in the match.
● Northern Districts has been dismissed for 285 in its rain-affected match with Wellington at the Basin Reserve. Wellington pace bowler Hamish Bennett took four for 54, while Northern Districts all-rounder Scott Kuggeleijn scored 112 batting at No8.
● Central Districts off-spinner Ajaz Patel claimed five for 41 to help dismiss Canterbury for 202 at Hagley Oval.
Central is 343 for seven in reply at stumps on day two. Opener Greg Hay posted 89 and Dane Cleaver is undefeated on 78.
