No 145: Otago's Dominant rugby season (1975)
There were many memorable victories when the 1975 Otago rugby team won 16 of 18 matches.
The vanquished included Scotland, the Junior All Blacks and all the major New Zealand provinces but the highlight was the 22-4 win over Auckland, the Ranfurly Shield holder, at Carisbrook.
Otago took charge from the outset in muddy conditions on a gloomy day in front of a crowd of 12,000 as Don Colling, Neil Purvis and Don Harley scored tries and Laurie Mains kicked the goals.
Just to make it an all-Otago triumph Don Colling's brother, Lin - who had played 68 games for Otago - captained Auckland and scored its only try.
The Otago team that winter included 10 past, present or future All Blacks. Its outstanding record was based on heroic defence - it conceded only 15 tries during the season - and the counter-attacking brilliance of Duncan Robertson and Lyn Jaffray.
The small pack seldom won more than 40% of the ball but Merv Jaffray, Rex Smith, Rob Roy and Harley were indomitable loose forwards.
Don Colling, one of the best centres never to play for the All Blacks, was a superb leader.
Few will forget the day Auckland was humbled so emphatically. All that was missing was the shield.'
