Star of Nareki Seals Wins

Highlanders winger Jona Nareki secured a 33-24 win for Otago in their friendly against Southland in Gore yesterday.

The tough winger played an important role in the second half.

He looked dangerous when carrying the ball, but his passing game proved most valuable.

Impressive young flanker Lucas Casey was the first to take advantage of this.

Nareki — or “Joan and the Ricky” according to the AI-generated subtitles for the match’s livestream — tapped the ball towards him early in the second stanza and the rangey openside slotted over the corner.

He created another tryout on the side to secure the win when he threw an offload to Mackenzie Palmer, who ran away to score. Palmer also grabbed an intercept try in the first half.

Otago coach Tom Donnelly was pleased with the performance.

“It was a good first blow for us,” he said.

“There were a lot of boys who got to wear an Otago shirt for the first time.

“It was a very even game in the first half. We did some really good things, but there is still a lot of work to be done.”

“(Nareki) is quality. If we get him on the pitch, we will be a better team.”

Green Island pro Heath MacEwan and young prop Moana Takataka, a late call-up after Ben Lopas was subbed out, also impressed Donnelly.

However, the Stags started strongly.

A break from former Green Island winger Michael Manson led to an early try for Southland.

Prop Morgan Mitchell crashed and Byron Smith made it extra points.

Otago hit back with an interception from Palmer.

But the home team had most of the play and loose forward Blair Ryall received a nice pass in midfield and stormed to the line.

Otago came back, prop George Bower worming his way forward from close range and Sam Gilbert hitting the conversion from outside to level the scores.

But Southland got the ball back in the red zone and played it well before eventually firing it wide to England winger Charlie Powell, who slotted the ball nicely into the corner.

Stags No. 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa played a strong first half and was faced with a number of tackles when he charged forward.

Manson looked dangerous too.

Both teams made major changes in the second half.

Nareki made an immediate impact, drawing a defender and passing the ball to Casey, who sprinted to the corner.

Gilbert then picked up a loose pass and used his pace to score a fourth try for Otago, putting his team ahead for the first time in the game.

The presence of Millar at first five and James Arscott at halfback provided more structure to the game for Otago.

The Stags’ lineout didn’t function well in the second phase and Otago gained some traction in that phase.

They attempted another line-out attempt, but Southland managed to keep the attempt out and leave their 22-metre area.

That was a missed opportunity, but Nareki provided a beautiful pass to Palmer, who quickly ran off for another attempt.

Stags captain Sean Withy made his way through the crowd to score a consolation effort for the home side in the closing stages.

NPC Preseason

The scores

Otago-33

Mackenzie Palmer 2, George Bower, Lucas Casey, Sam Gilbert tries; Gilbert 2 con, Cameron Millar 2 con.

Southland 24

Morgan Mitchell, Blair Ryall, Charlie Powell, Sean Withy tries; Byron Smith 2 con.

Peace: 19-14 Southland