All Blacks Ben Smith and Tamati Ellison injected extra firepower for Otago as they overwhelmed a hapless North Harbour 54-25 in their national provincial championship rugby match in Dunedin on Tuesday.
Released from national duty for some much-needed game time, the duo added extra assurance to an Otago backline which regularly found gaps in Harbour's shaky defence.
The tries flowed regularly after flanker Gareth Evans opened the scoring inside seven minutes. Smith crossed for the second just four minutes later after a slick one-two with Ellison, then wings Buxton Popoali'i and Marshall Suckling added two more within the space of three minutes as the half-hour mark passed.
Harbour finally managed some continuity, showing patience in building phases before elusive halfback Bryn Hall darted across in the shadow of halftime to cut back Otago's lead to 27-10 at the break.
Harbour No.8 Viliame Fihaki reduced the margin further five minutes after the restart with a converted try, but Otago regrouped and capitalised on an error-ridden North Harbour performance with three more tries.
Evans showed a good turn of speed in powering 50 metres for his second, lock Rob Verbakel adding Otago's sixth 10 minutes later.
Replacement hooker Manu Leiataua crashed over from a quickly taken lineout for Harbour's third try, but Otago had the final say with 10 seconds left on the clock as Glenn Dickson dived over in the corner.
NZN