Southland captain Sean Withy led his side to a long-awaited win over Otago in Invercargill on Saturday.
He tackled like a lion, dominated the breakdown and tossed aside tacklers to guide the home team to a 22-13 win and reclaim the Donald Stuart Memorial Shield.
It was Southland’s first win over Otago since 2020 and it was warmly received by the faithful on Stag Day.
Withy, who was on debut for Southland, having previously played for Otago, said the win would give them confidence.
"What you saw today is just the start of some of the stuff we are going to do this season", he told the Sky Sport commentary team.
"I truly believe we can upset a few teams and hopefully we can upset a big team next week."
That big team is Hawke’s Bay, and it is a Ranfurly Shield challenge.
While Withy shone on Saturday, he had a lot of help in the loose.
No 8 Dylan Nel barged his way forward and snaffled some crucial turnovers, including one at the end that helped seal the win.
Withy set him up. He ducked through two tacklers and slipped another before offloading to Ryall, who skipped out of a desperate defender’s grasp and ran in to score.
Otago had some setbacks leading into the derby.
Co-captain Christian Lio-Willie was ruled out late. They also lost the services of halfback James Arscott, who got injured at practice on Thursday. And star winger Jona Nareki and luckless midfielder Josh Timu did not last the first half.
Southland had to make an early replacement as well. Midfielder Matt Whaanga went off and Faletoi Peni made an immediate impact when he came on with some telling runs.
Southland winger Viliami Fine broke down the right-hand side early in the game and got the ball to hooker Jack Taylor. He sprinted to the line but was wrapped up in a brilliant try-saving tackle by Otago fullback Finn Hurley in the in-goal area.
Otago did defend well throughout the game. They stifled another sweeping move when Stags first five Byron Smith got a pinpoint kick-pass to Fine.
Nareki took a heavy blow trying to tackle Fine. He left the field to get an HIA, which he failed and was unable to return.
Otago barely had the ball, and when they did they were met with a maroon wall.
The Stags were snaffling turnovers at seemingly every other ruck as well.
Timu’s rotten run with injury continued. He left 30 minutes into the game, forcing Otago to shuffle their backline again.
Southland finally got a try to show for their efforts when Withy busted through and got the ball to Ryall.
Otago missed 23 tackles in the half and had about 30% of the ball. They were very lucky to only be trailing 10-6 at the break.
Southland would have been frustrated, but Fine collected another accurate kick-pass early in the second half and cut inside two defenders to score.
Otago responded through veteran Otago hooker Liam Coltman. He flopped over from a lineout drive. Lock Fabian Holland did a lot of pushing to help get him there.
Cameron Millar missed an opportunity to put his side in front with a penalty and instead Otago found themselves defending again.
They repelled several assaults but centre Isaac Te Tamaki took an inside ball and ran through from close range and that proved to be the winner.
In the other Saturday games, Canterbury beat Northland 34-21 in Christchurch, and Bay of Plenty beat Waikato 36-21 in Hamilton.
Yesterday, Hawke’s Bay defeated North Harbour 41-32 and Tasman walloped Manawatu 54-21.
On Friday, Taranaki beat Counties-Manukau 31-15 in New Plymouth, and Wellington beat Auckland 29-21 at Eden Park.
NPC
The scores
Southland 22
Blair Ryall, Viliami Fine, Isaac Te Tamaki tries; Byron Smith 2 con, pen.
Otago 13
Liam Coltman try; Cameron Millar con, 2 pen.
Halftime: Southland 10-6.
