Otago's 15-man rugby caused the biggest upset of the NPC first division rugby season when they eliminated hot favourites Canterbury 37-22 in the first semifinal tonight.
Halfback Chris Smylie was a major factor in the Otago side and capped his fine all-round performance with two tries. Captain Craig Newby, fullback Craig Clare and flanker Josh Blackie scored the other five pointers, with first five-eighth Nick Evans kicking two penalties and three conversions.
It was a rare Otago victory on Canterbury soil but the second over them in a fortnight. Otago had stunned the top finishers in the round-robin competition 24-19 at Carisbrook and proved tonight it was no fluke as many experts had suggested.
Though Canterbury trailed 3-10 at halftime, they looked more organised and composed when they came out after the break.
They did come back on the scoreboard and scored two superb tries by fullback Ben Blair and openside flanker Richie McCaw to lead 15-13 in the 62nd minute -- the only time they led on the game.
But the last 13 minutes belonged to Otago, with Clare, Smylie and Blackie nailing the victory with their tries.
Canterbury scored one more -- again from a swift movement of the ball in the backline from a set-piece -- but Otago were home and dry by then.
It was a game in which Otago perhaps made the least number of mistakes this season.
Though they were pinged for offsides a few times, there were fewer wild passes and 50-50 offers. They went into the rucks with purpose, tackled gallantly and moved the ball with assurance between the forwards and backs.
Newby had an enormous input, as did Blackie, lock James Ryan and the front rowers Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver and Chris King.
Evans' defence was sound and midfielders Selala Mapusua and Neil Brew caused the most problem for the usually strong Canterbury defence.
Canterbury, on the other hand, promised a lot and looked like starting their rugby machine at any time.
No 8 Mose Tuiali'i had another powerful game, as he did last week, but they failed to press on whatever they started on attack. At times they looked to be waiting for things to happen and then some big hits from a more determined Otago defence rattled them.
Forty six points were scored in the last 24 minutes, with Otago scoring four tries and Canterbury three.
NZPA