Otago will be looking to bounce back from defeat last weekend as they seek to secure a home quarterfinal berth. Their home form has been outstanding, I do not see Auckland threatening that form.
Key Stats - Otago in Fine Form
- Otago have won 5 of their last 7 fixtures.
- Otago have won 9 of their last 10 home games.
- Otago have won 3 of their last 4 home matches against Auckland.
- Auckland have lost 5 of their last 7 fixtures.
- Auckland have lost 5 of their last 6 away games.
Auckland Lead H2H
Auckland lead 6-5 in their last 11 matches against Otago in the NPC.
Otago Hitting Form at the Right Time
Otago scored two converted tries against North Harbour last weekend to lead their hosts 14-10 at half-time.
The away side could only add a converted try to their score in the second half, losing 32-21 away to North Harbour.
Before that disappointing result, the Blue and Gold defeated Southland 41-14 away, lost 19-15 at home to Canterbury, beat Manawatu 29-27 away, Wellington 61-22 at home and Waikato 43-38 at home, then lost 35-24 away to Hawke's Bay before defeating Tasman 57-33 at home, and Counties Manukau 50-21 away.
Otago are fifth in the NPC table with 32 points after nine rounds.
Otago will fancy their chances against a struggling Auckland side that has lost five of their last six away matches and will be aiming to finish their regular season with a victory, with other results going their way to secure a home quarter-final.
Auckland Another Poor Season
Auckland scored two tries and a conversion in the first half against Manawatu last weekend, going into the break trailing 14-12.
In the second half, Auckland improved their performance, scoring four tries and a conversion, but fell short, losing 40-34 to Manawatu at home.
Earlier in their campaign, the team from Eden Park lost 38-31 to Canterbury away, beat Wellington 34-31 at home, and lost 44-31 at home to Hawke's Bay, 27-19 away to North Harbour, and 22-19 at home to Bay of Plenty before defeating Counties Manukau 43-33 at home, and Tasman 24-22 away.
Auckland are 10th in the National Provincial Championship table with 20 points from nine matches.
Auckland have had a disappointing campaign, failing to reach the season-ending play-offs, and they will have to play well to beat Otago away, as their opponents have won an impressive nine of their last ten home games.
Team News
Otago
Sam Nemec-Vial, Kieran McClea, and Finn Hurley each crossed the try line against North Harbour last weekend.
Cam Millar slotted all three conversions in the match.
Auckland
Nathaniel Pole scored a brace against Manawatu last weekend.
Caleb Woodley, Randall Baker, Che Clark, and Siale Pahulu scored a try each against Manawatu last weekend.
Alex Harford and Xavi Taele kicked over a conversion each in the match.