NPC Rugby live updates: Southland v Otago

Otago have taken 'Stag Day' honours in Invercargill, beating old rivals Southland 24-15 in a well-attended match at Rugby Park.

The win was built on a dominant first half, then some committed defence in the second.

In fact, Otago scored all their points by halftime and seemingly set Southland the task of overhauling their 24-8 lead.

Jack Taylor opened the scoring for the home side, with a popular try in front of a very good crowd of 10,000, but Otago soon got stuck into the work, thanks to some very smart kicking by Highlanders duo Cam Millar and Sam Gilbert.

Gilbert struck back for Otago in the 16th minute with a well-taken try, then Millar extended the lead with a penalty after 25 minutes. All Black Christian Lio-Willie powered over to push the lead out to 17-8, before Will Stoddart scored a crucial try right on halftime.

Despite the big crowd willing them on, Southland couldn't make their attacking opportunities count in a second half, when they dominated territory and possession. All they had to show was a Nic Shearer try, converted by Byron Smith.

The match ended with Southland hot on attack, but denied once again by some well-organised Otago defence. That was fitting, as it summed up the way the entire second half had gone.

Southland will look to regroup against Northland in Whangarei next Friday, while Otago host Hawke's Bay.

Read how the game unfolded here: