North Otago ended Wanganui's unbeaten run of nine Heartland matches with a come-from-behind 21-16 victory at Whitestone Contracting Stadium on Saturday.
North Otago's win took it to the top of the Meads Cup table and, with South Canterbury's upset win over Mid Canterbury, North Otago can control its destiny.
It must beat Thames Valley convincingly in Paeroa next week to secure a home semifinal and, if it wins that, a home final.
On Saturday, it overcame a poor first half to time its run to perfection and finally take the lead with five minutes remaining.
North Otago won the toss and gave Wanganui first use of the gusty southwesterly wind.
It was unfortunate to be denied a try in the second minute, when right winger Ofa Fatai lost the ball over the goal lineFour minutes later, Wanganui first five-eighth Mark Davis was astray with a penalty but midway through the half North Otago was penalised for offside and, from a handy position, Davis made it 3-0.
Wanganui then won a scrum 12 minutes from halftime and, from good second-phase ball, sent impressive centre Tau Moeke in for a try which Davis converted to give the visiting side a 10-0 halftime lead.
The first 40 minutes did not impress North Otago co-coach Barry Matthews.
"I thought it was probably the worst first half we've played this season. There were basic errors," he said.
"They did not stick to the game plan and they got a real rev-up at halftime. We missed three opportunities to score in the first 15 minutes and I thought a bit of self doubt crept in.
"With Wanganui very physical in the contact area they were beating us up at the breakdowns and if you don't get quick ball it's hard to attack.
"I felt they slowed our ball down and we helped with poor ball placement. Make no mistake, Wanganui is a good side, a dangerous side."
North Otago opened the second half in sensational fashion when halfback Kilifi Fangupo took a quick tap penalty just outside the Wanganui 22.
He wrestled his way inside the 22 and, when North Otago recycled the ball, it was Fangupo who dabbed on the blindside to send Fatai over in the corner.
Davis then added penalties in the 53rd and 61st minutes to take Wanganui out to what appeared to be a match-winning 16-5 lead.
North Otago first five-eighth Ben Patston kicked a penalty to make it 16-8, a scoreline that remained until 10 minutes from the end.
North Otago captain Luke Herden claimed the ball on the North Otago 22 and in the tackle got the ball away to fullback Billy Guyton who broke down the left flank.
Winger Greg Zampach was in support on halfway and his pace took him to the 22, where he chipped infield, gathered the bounce and touched down between the posts.
Patston converted to make it 16-15.
North Otago surged back on attack and, after being denied a try, won a series of phases and Fangupo's long pass found Patston and he knocked over a dropped goal to a tremendous roar to put North Otago into the lead.
He added a penalty a minute later and the home side then survived Wanganui's last desperate onslaught.
Matthews put the turnaround down to his bench.
"It must be said that the guys who came on in the second half made a huge difference."
Ross Hay came on for Josh Collier in the 53rd minute at the same time Lemi Masoe took over from Ofa Fatai on the wing.
With a quarter of the game left, Dylan Winter, Uilisoni Tahitua and Ipana Taua came on for Eric Duff, Tevita Fifita and Palenapa Mafi, and their energy helped the side get home.
The big upset in the Meads Cup round came at the Ashburton Showgrounds where South Canterbury, after leading 6-3 at halftime, held on to beat Mid Canterbury 15-13, with Jason Merrett kicking five penalties to enable his side to take home the Hanan Shield.
In the other game, Poverty Bay beat Thames Valley 47-16 in Gisborne.
North Otago v Wanganui
The scores
North Otago 21
Ofa Fatai, Greg Zampack tries, Ben Patston 2 pen, dropped goal
Wanganui 16
Tau Moeke try, Mark Davis 3 pen, con
Haftime: Wanganui 10-0.
- Terry O'Neill
