Kaikorai capitalise on Varsity errors (2024)

A round up of premier grade club rugby games played in Dunedin over the weekend.

Kaikorai 22

University 17

Kaikorai rallied from a five-point deficit to edge University 22-17 at the University Oval on Saturday.

But their win owed much to the home side.

University fumbled their way to the loss as much as anything.

They led 10-5 at the break.

Highlanders midfielder Thomas Umaga-Jensen scored in the opening minute and first five Jacob Waikari-Jones crossed late in the opening half.

Umaga-Jensen is making his way back from a knee injury and played only the first 40 minutes.

He ruptured his ACL while in action for Otago last season.

Kaikorai had the dominant scrum and were able to build pressure during that phase. They also scored from a lineout drive in the first half but the lineout was a little shaky.

University looked more dangerous on attack but they dropped plenty of ball and bungled opportunities.

Promising loose forward Lucas Casey scored for Kaikorai early in the second spell — his second for the game — and Ben Miller got his side back in front with a conversion and a penalty a couple of minutes later.

But University lock Mitchell Tinnock crashed over midway through the half to help regain the lead for the Bookies.

That lead was shortlived, however, and Kaikorai first five Nic Proffit scored what proved to be the match-winner about five minutes later.

Miller knocked over the conversion to put Kaikorai out by five.

The experienced fullback had a good game. His tactical and attacking kicking game brought rewards for Kaikorai.

Loosehead prop Jonah Aoina created a solid platform for Kaikorai and loosie Sidney Fidow was always close to the action.

University halfback Bradley Campbell had a sharp game and combined well with Waikari-Jones. And Tinnock stood out in the pack.

—Adrian Seconi

Taieri 45

Alhambra-Union 12

Taieri rediscovered some confidence with a solid 45-12 win over a struggling Alhambra-Union team at the North Ground.

The Eels are going through a significant rebuild and some injury setbacks, particularly in the front row, have left their pack depleted.

But they enjoyed parity-plus against the Broncos in the tight exchanges and that allowed their backs to show off their talent.

They were able to play at pace and with precision.

Halfback Trey Russell and first five Samuel Pearce set the tone with some good decision making and sound tactical kicking.

They delivered some quick ball to the players further out.

Fullback Joe co*ckburn bagged three tries in an impressive performance.

Taieri dominated the opening 20 minutes, running in three tries. They led 26-5 at the break. It was arguably their best 40 minutes all season.

Their lineout functioned well and they had an edge in the scrum. Loose forward Ben Kay was industrious around the ruck.

AU rallied midway through the second half with a try to Charles Alston and Tyron Pelasio scored late in the second half.

The Broncos have not won a round-robin game since 2022.

But they have not lost the 20-plus games in a row which was reported in theOtago Daily Timesa few weeks back.

They actually beat Zingari-Richmond in a seventh-to-ninth playoff game at the end of last season.

They have been struggling, however. But they held their own against Taieri for long periods. Hooker Petelo Amato had a strong game.

—Adrian Seconi

Green Island 48

Harbour 14

Inspirational play from captain Heath MacEwan set Green Island up for their second successful defence of the Challenge Shield against Harbour this season at Miller Park.

The hooker was involved in all facets of play. But it was his ability to create opportunity from broken play which made the difference.

His decision to go for a quick tap penalty inside his own half caught Harbour napping and led to a sensational try to fullback Samuel Nemec-Vial, who broke through five defenders in a 40m run to the line.

That try was Nemec-Vial's second for the game. His first came 15 minutes earlier when he used his pace and strength to bust through and dot down.

Second five Riley Lucas was another danger lurking in the Green Island backline. He also scored a brace and remained a constant threat in a Green Island backline which played with enterprise.

But it was the Green Island forward pack, under the direction of MacEwan, which maintained control of the set piece and forced some bruising defence from Harbour front rowers Jamal Steel and Mitch Regan.

They featured close in while in the loose forward trio Noaese Foaitua, Toni Taufa and Taylor Dale remained threatening from broken play and were tireless defenders.

Dale showed blistering pace when he broke away into open territory from the halfway to score in the corner. The big No8 also featured when Harbour dominated in the opening exchanges which led to a try to second five Viliami Tufui and an early lead.

—Wayne Parsons

Dunedin 50

Southern 28

Dunedin started the game in clinical fashion and went 15 phases before winger Josh Augustine had too much pace and went over in the corner.

They continued to control possession and territory and capitalised with a penalty to first five Ajay Faleafa*ga and a converted try to No8 Hame Toma, who crashed over from a ruck close to the line.

Things were looking ominous for Southern as they had not been out of their own territory in the first 20 minutes.

Finally, lock Aron Einnarson was dragged down short of the line and Dunedin were found to be offside at the ensuing ruck, so a penalty try was awarded and Dunedin hooker Liam Arthur Hunt was off to the bin.

Southern pounced on the advantage, and after another Einnarson break, No 8 Konrad Toleafoa got up in support to take the pass and crash over.

Faleafa*ga added a couple of late penalties to give Dunedin a seven-point lead at the break.

The second half became the Kyan Rangitutia show, the winger running in three tries from distance and showing real strength and pace.

His last was a breathtaking affair when the Dunedin backline showed some real flair to put Rangitutia in the clear and he ran it in from 40m.

The Dunedin pack dominated the scrum and breakdown, and their tackling was nothing short of brutal.

Locks Reuben Palmer and replacement Josh Tengblad dominated aerially to ensure a constant supply of quality possession for the Sharks, which the backs duly exploited.

Southern managed a bonus point when they scored two further tries to replacements Rewi Pomare and Regan Bent.

For Dunedin, Sepa Vaka was immense and was well supported by lock Palmer and loosies James Bolton and Hame Toma. Rangitutia showed he has a big future with his size and pace.

Einnarson was a powerful force for Southern and matched the Dunedin pack’s physicality. Midfielder Paul Tupa'i was the best of their backs.

—Paul Dwyer

Round 11

The scores

Kaikorai 22 (Lucas Casey 2, Nic Proffittries; Ben Miller 2 con, pen).

University17 (Thomas Umaga-Jensen, JacobWaikari-Jones, Mitchell Tinnock tries;Waikari-Jones con). Halftime:University 10-5.

Taieri 45 (Joe co*ckburn 3, OscarAnderson, Asesela Ravuvu, JaredBurns, Morgan Jones tries; co*ckburn 5con).

Alhambra-Union 12 (CharlesAlston, Tyron Pelasio tries; AnzacTipene con). Halftime: Taieri 26-5.

Green Island 48 (Riley Lucas 2,Samuel Nemec-Vial 2, JesseVa'afusuaga, Zion Niha, VilimoneBainibure, Rona Dynes tries; Samuel
Nemec-Vial 4 con).

Harbour 14(Viliami Tufui, Taylor Dale tries;Saimone Samate 2 con). Halftime:Green Island 24-7.

Dunedin 50 (Kyan Rangitutia 3, JoshAugustine, Hame Toma, Sepa Vaka,Curtis Palmer tries; Ajay Faleafa*ga 3con, 3 pen).

Southern 28 (KonradToleafoa, Rewi Pomare, Regan Benttries, penalty try; Wyndham Patuawa 3con). Halftime: Dunedin 21-14.

Standings

Points earned for the bye: GI 5, Zingari 4, Kaikorai3, Southern 2, University 1.