Otago are flying at the moment and currently find themselves fourth on the table while Counties Manukau have not managed to put consistent performacnes together. In Dunedin, I can only seee this going the hosts way.
Key Stats - Otago have Momentum
- Otago have won 4 of their last 5 fixtures.
- Otago have won 4 of their last 6 away games.
- Counties Manukau have lost 3 of their last 5 matches.
- Counties Manukau have lost 2 of their last 3 games against Otago.
Otago lag Behind
Counties Manukau have the advantage with six victories to four against Otago in ten meetings in the National Provincial Championship.
Counties Manukau not having their Best Campaign
Counties Manukau scored a converted try in the first half against Auckland last weekend, going into the break trailing their hosts 19-7.
Manukau mounted a comeback in the second half, adding four tries and three conversions to their tally, but fell short, losing 43-33 to Auckland.
Earlier in their season, the Steelers lost 20-5 at home to Taranaki, 59-19 to North Harbour away, 50-35 at home to Tasman, and 45-12 to Waikato away before beating Wellington 46-35 away and Southland 47-24 at home.
Manukau are 13th in the National Provincial Championship table with 12 points after seven rounds.
Counties Manukau have struggled to find consistency this season, and will have to produce a clinical performance to beat Otago, as their opponents have won four of their last six away games.
Otago Four Wins in last Five
Otago scored four converted tries in the first half against Tasman last weekend to lead 28-19 at half-time.
The home side continued to pile on the points in the second half, scoring four tries, three conversions, and a penalty to cruise to an easy 57-33 home win over Tasman.
Before that performance, the Blue and Gold defeated Southland 41-14 away and lost 19-15 at home to Canterbury before beating Manawatu 29-27 away and Wellington 61-22 and Waikato 43-38 at home, respectively, before losing 35-24 away to Hawke's Bay.
Otago are fourth in the NPC table with 27 points from seven matches.
Otago have an opportunity to take one step closer to this season's play-offs when they take on Counties Manukau, as they defeated their opponents in two of their last three meetings, and their hosts have lost three of their last five fixtures.
Team News
Counties Manukau Steelers
Josh Gray scored a brace against Auckland last weekend.
Alamanda Motuga, Rico McQuoid, and Aporosa Vuniyayawa contributed a try each.
AJ Alatimu landed four conversions in the match.
The line-up for the Steelers will be added once it has been announced.
Otago
Patrick Pellegrini, Josh Whaanga, Jake Te Hiwi, Lucas Casey, Jona Nareki, Riley Lucas, Kieran McClea, and Finn Hurley scored a try each against Tasman last weekend.
Patrick Pellegrini slotted seven conversions and a penalty in the match.
The team for Otago will be added once it has been announced.