Auckland has relinquished its three-year grip on the Lin Colling Memorial Trophy after a disappointing 34-26 defeat to Otago under the roof in Dunedin.

The final scoreline was slightly flattering to the visitors, who were under the cosh during the full 80 minutes from a very committed, physical Otago unit, who are very much contenders in the Championship section of the Mitre 10 Cup.

The early signs were ominous for Auckland when Otago centre Sio Tomkinson intercepted a long Malakai Fekitoa pass to sprint 60m for the first of his double.

Auckland hit back after a Jerome Kaino surge from a scrum led to George Moala scoring his trademark bullocking try from one metre out. He added another late in the piece for his brace.

But Otago wing Jona Nareki scored a brace of his own, the first from broken play and the second from a well-worked scrum move in which Auckland came up with a bad defensive read.

Fekitoa had to leave the field after a heavy clash with Tomkinson, handing TJ Faiane his 14th, blazer, appearance for Auckland.

In the first spell, in particular, Auckland made holes, but turned over the ball too often as Otago’s bruising defence rattled its composure.

Auckland captain Patrick Tuipulotu, perhaps with a view to Rugby Championship duty in Argentina next week, played just the first 40 minutes.

“They brought the physicality at the breakdown and put us on the back foot,” says Tuipulotu. “It’s crucial now that the boys stay as one and stick together.”

Kaino, also back in the All Blacks squad, completed 77 minutes and assumed the captaincy armband in the second spell.

Auckland never got going until late in the second stanza, but there was time for lock Jamie Lane to make his provincial debut and for replacement hooker Kurt Eklund to bring good energy off the pine.

The late bonus point for a penalty try may prove important in the final analysis of the season. – Campbell Burnes

Auckland 26 (George Moala 2, Vince Aso tries; penalty try; Jono Hickey 2 con) Otago 34 (Sio Tomkinson 2, Jona Nareki 2, Josh Furno tries; Fletcher Smith 3 con, pen) HT: 24-14 Otago