The magic fingers work.<\/p>\n
Cameron Millar nailed a penalty on full-time to seal a dramatic 44-41 win against Waikato in the NPC quarterfinal at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.<\/p>\n
As shots at goal go, it was as tough as they come.<\/p>\n
It was 45m out and just 10m in from the sideline.<\/p>\n
A crowd of 4739 rose to their feet and a good chunk of them resorted to magic fingers.<\/p>\n
That kick never looked like missing.<\/p>\n
What a game.<\/p>\n
What a kick.<\/p>\n
Otago will host the semifinal back in Dunedin next week.<\/p>\n
They will find out who they will play on Sunday once the other quarterfinals are complete.<\/p>\n
It might take them until Sunday for the heart rate to return to normal.<\/p>\n
Otago started hot.<\/p>\n
They built pressure through some pinpoint box kicks and pounced with a stunning try down the blindside.<\/p>\n
It began with a quick clearance from halfback Dylan Pledger. Winger Jona Nareki got a great offload to Sam Gilbert, who put in a chip ahead and Pledger regathered and dived over in the corner.<\/p>\n
Perfect.<\/p>\n
Waikato responded quickly.<\/p>\n
Aaron Cruden landed a penalty, and not long after loosehead Mason Tupaea spun out of the grasp of a couple of tacklers and charged towards the line.<\/p>\n
From there, the Mooloos shovelled it out wide to Oli Mathis to score.<\/p>\n
Otago\u2019s discipline was faltering.<\/p>\n
Waikato got another penalty and kicked for territory.<\/p>\n
Otago was at the wrong end of the field and just hanging on.<\/p>\n
Jona Nareki gave his side a lift with a big tackle, but Waikato stunned the crowd with a second try.<\/p>\n
Luke Jacobson snaffled a turnover and then featured again. He got an inside ball to fellow All Black Samipeni Finau, who went over almost untouched.<\/p>\n
Otago finally returned to Waikato\u2019s 22 about 20 minutes after they scored the opening try.<\/p>\n
They tried to maul over and Jacobson got himself binned for dragging it down.<\/p>\n
Otago took advantage immediately. Cameron Millar kicked into space on the right flank, where winger Jae Broomfield was unmarked.<\/p>\n
The home side swung back on to attack and Will Stodart muscled over from close range.<\/p>\n
Somehow, they had wriggled out of the half with a 19-15 lead.<\/p>\n
Make that 26-15.<\/p>\n
Pledger again.<\/p>\n
He nabbed an intercept and sprinted 65m.<\/p>\n
The diminutive No 9 spotted that opportunity almost before he left the dressing room.<\/p>\n
Powerful centre Thomas Umaga-Jensen set up the next.<\/p>\n
He goose-stepped his way through an enormous hole, passed to Nareki who found Lucas Casey in support on the inside.<\/p>\n
That was pretty.<\/p>\n
Waikato were desperate to respond and Aki Tuivailala made it happen. He jigged that way, jigged the other and Tepaea Cook- Savage was there to finish off.<\/p>\n
The visitor\u2019s joy was short-lived. Otago launched a breathless attack.<\/p>\n
Otago lock Joseva Tamani was dragged down just shy, but the ball made its way to Gilbert.<\/p>\n
It bobbled off the fullback\u2019s boot and into his hands and he dived over.<\/p>\n
There was still plenty of time for Waikato and they mauled over from a lineout drive. \u00a0Reserve hooker Sean Ralph got himself on the score sheet.<\/p>\n
This game had everything. Even a drop kick. Gilbert slotted it from 40-odd metres.<\/p>\n
Waikato were not finished.<\/p>\n
They pushed Otago off their own ball and replacement halfback Charlie Marsh scored under the posts to set up a tense final five minutes.<\/p>\n
Otago prop Ben Lopas received a late yellow card for head contact and Waikato mauled over from a lineout drive to tie the game with a minute remaining.<\/p>\n
Then, it was Millar time.<\/p>\n
Otago 44 (Dylan Pledger 2, Jae Broomfield, Will Stodart, Lucas Casey, Sam Gilbert tries; Millar 4 con, pen, Gilbert drop goal)<\/p>\n
Waikato 41 (Sean Ralph 2, Oli Mathis, Samipeni Finau, Tepaea Cook- Savage, tries; Aaron Cruden 2 con, pen, Cook- Savage 2 con)<\/p>\n
Halftime: 19-15<\/p>\n
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