03-08-2025
Bright start for Otago teams
The Otago teams have made a bright start to the inaugural Tuppy Diack Shield.
Otago Metro South posted a comprehensive 52-7 win over Southland Metro in Invercargill on Saturday.
Promising lock Josh Tengblad claimed some good lineout ball and nabbed a couple of steals.
He also carried strongly.
Otago midfielder Jake Te Hiwi returned from a groin injury and made a positive impact. He set up a couple of tries and scored one as well.
Otago-contracted loose forward Max Ratcliffe bumped off several tacklers on his way to a five-pointer in the corner.
Otago Metro North beat Southland Country 38-24 in the other fixture, which was also hosted in Invercargill.
Kaikorai loose forward Slade McDowall scored two tries and had an industrious game.
The openside was outstanding for his club this season and is pushing hard for an opportunity for Otago.
Halfback Oliver Thode was another to impress. He played in Otago's warm-up against Southland last month and acquitted himself nicely.
Otago Rugby Football Union game development manager Michael Smith, who helped come up with the concept of the Tuppy Diack Shield, said it was a great start to the tournament.
"It just shows the strength of club rugby in Dunedin when we can form two teams who are very competitive."
