Any coach would be happy with their team scoring an octuple of tries.
But keeping their opposition from crossing their tryline will leave a coach beaming.
North Otago had white line fever, scoring eight tries to nil, as they put on a show in their first home game of the Heartland Championship, sailing to a 50-3 win against Wairarapa-Bush on Saturday.
After not being satisfied with his side’s defensive effort last week, coach Jason Forrest was rapt by the turnaround.
"We talked about our defence obviously not being good enough last week, so to keep a clean scoresheet against a team like this — stoked, and to get 50 points at the same time."
The Old Golds puts in a big shift on defence, slowing down any attacking opportunities Wairarapa-Bush put together.
But the visitors’ ball security was poor — dropping balls, knocking on in contact and passes to no-one.
The Old Golds were brutal at scrum time — "that’s a bit of a weapon for us" — and were clinical at the lineout, offering good ball for their finishers.
Lucas Ollion, Junior Fakatoufifita and former North Harbour wing Osea Qamasea — making his Heartland debut — all grabbed a double.
Ollion was impressive with the boot against some challenging wind in the first half and ran strong lines to slice through the Wairarapa defence.
But he was just one of many to shine. Qamasea’s first try was vicious, barrelling over Wairarapa fullback Andre Taylor, Aleki Morris-Lome was solid and his midfield partner Jess Bowring looked dangerous when he got his hands on the ball in the second half.
"We sort of talked as a group, our backs were probably our weak link last week, and that was completely different today, eh.
"Scored some great tries. They learnt from last week, which is amazing ... that’s all we can ask as a coaching group."
The home side showed their intent early when young Asesela Ravuvu scored in the corner five minutes in.
Their attacking flair was on show again six minutes later, when Bowring’s explosive line speed put Ollion over.
Wairarapa had their first chance in the 16th minute, with Ben Brooking knocked over a penalty to record their only points of the day.
Big No 8 Junior Fakatoufifita returned fire, scoring in the corner off a powerful scrum.
Qamasea showed his strength for his first — receiving a large reception from the team — and ran in his second on halftime to lead 31-3 at the break.
They kept their razzle dazzle going in the second half, playing with good width across the park and putting each other in the right space.
Former All Blacks sevens star Vilimoni Koroi held the ball up, and put a nice flat inside ball to Ollion to scored his second.
Wairarapa had more chances in the final quarter, but the Old Golds smothering defence put a stop to them coming anywhere near the line.
They left massive holes on defence and coughed up one too many penalties, Lewis Bush sent to the bin with 15 minutes left on the clock.
That gave the Old Golds a chance to sneak in another. Replacement hooker Lenny Varu peeled off the back off a great rolling maul to wrap the game up.
A minute’s silence was held before the game for Wairarapa life member Andy McDougall, who died last week.
Meads Cup champions South Canterbury extended their winning streak to 23 games with a 45-21 win against King Country. West Coast beat Horowhenua-Kapiti 48-28, East Coast won 19-8 against Mid Canterbury, Thames Valley won 24-17 over Poverty Bay and Whanganui held out Buller 13-5 in an arm wrestle.
Heartland Championship
The scores
North Otago 50
Lucas Ollion 2, Junior Fakatoufifita 2, Osea Qamasea 2, Asesela Ravuvu, Lenny Varu tries; Ollion 5 con.
Wairarapa-Bush 3
Ben Brooking pen
Halftime: 31-3
