The visitors opened the scoring off the boot of Peter Breen, and the wily first five was rewarded with an early try too following up a grubber kick out wide. Harbour kept themselves within arm’s reach thanks mainly to some opportunist play from Nafi Tuitavake. The veteran winger broke several tackles before finding Michael Little in support who scored his fifth try of the season.

But Harbour couldn’t build from it, conceding a soft try in tight to James Lentjes. Another Breen penalty added insult to injury to put Otago up 16-10 at halftime.

Breen kicked another penalty to start the half but QBE Harbour came right back once again through Tuitavake. The Crusaders winger combining perfectly with Pita Ahki before showing plenty of pace to run past the Otago fullback and score. Once again Harbour were guilty of clocking off after scoring points, and their fringe defence was left wanting. Jackson Hemopo crashed over to put it out to 26-17.

Both sides exchanged penalties before Otago scored the crucial blow. The visitors chased down a wayward kick at touch to put Josh Rowland under pressure, who in turn threw a speculative pass which Otago wing Jack Wilson collected and scored. Down 39-20 QBE Harbour didn’t give in. Pita Ahki scored a special individual try, while Michael Little fought his way over for his second of the night. Matt McGahan’s conversion hit the uprights leaving it at 39-32 with just seconds remaining.

QBE Harbour tried to score from their own line after the hooter had gone but Otago managed to hold up an attacker which saw the game come to a frustrating finish for the home side.
Plenty to ponder over the next ten days ahead of winless Northland at QBE Stadium.

QBE Harbour 32 (Michael Little 2, Nafi Tuitavake, Pita Ahki tries; Daniel Halangahu 3 con, 2 pen, Matt McGahan con), Otago 39 (Peter Breen, James Lentjes, Jackson Hemopo, Jack Wilson tries; Peter Breen 2 con, 5 pen). HT: 10-16.