But it more than lived up to a reputation of producing entertaining, fast-paced action.
The South Island put on a glittering display as it beat Wai-Coa-Bay 62-10 in its first National Rugby League 20s competition — for players 20 and under — in Dunedin.
It ran in 11 tries in a rampaging effort, leading 24-10 at halftime and then both starting and finishing the second half with three quick tries each.
Despite that, it was Wai-Coa-Bay — a combined Waikato, East Coast and Bay of Plenty team — which started the better.
Lock Toataua Porima took a gap to give the visitors a 6-0 lead inside five minutes, taking advantage of early ill-discipline from the South Island.
However, as the South Island team settled, it began to hold on to the ball, while mistakes crept into the Wai-Coa-Bay game.
Hooker Sincere Harraway made the first of several electric runs from dummy-half not long after, linking with Otago player Eli Ellison, who went over to equalise.
Harraway went over himself to take a 12-6 lead as the South Island was able to build pressure, forcing repeat sets.
Another two followed as Kyle Amer broke several tackles to crash over, before Otago lock Ben Worthington pounced on a mistake to score from a kick chase.
Wai-Coa-Bay prop Dayna Bidois hit back late in the half, as the visitors finally held possession. But if there was any chance of a comeback, the South Island snuffed it out shortly after the break.
The South Island piled on three quick tries, showing its ability to score from range and stretch the defence.
Mapu Uasi counterattacked well to put Elisala Faifale in for the first, before Jesse Wihongi’s influence helped set up Vaione Saki for another.
Uasi crossed for one of his own, after another Wai-Coa-Bay mistake, to take the score to 38-10 early in the second half.
Although the visitors stopped the bleeding through the middle of the half, they were unable to dent the South Island defence.
Kiarn Wilson scored to take the South Island past 40, before Faifale, Harraway and Uasi all bagged their second tries in a rampant finish.
The win was the South Island’s second in four games.
It plays its final game of the round-robin next weekend against Auckland White in Auckland.
