Otago have broken their duck in this year's Mitre 10 Championship, notching their first win of the season, 50-17 over Manawatu in Palmerston North.
The southerners entered the contest with opening losses to Wellington and Hawke's Bay, and seemed headed for similar disappointment, when they trailled 17-12 early in the second half.
Manawatu had rattled off three tries in the opening 40 minutes, including two in as many minutes to centre Rob Thompson and fullback Laloifi Junior Laloifi, but lost first-five Jade Te Rure with a broken arm in the process.
But the entire complexion of the match changed after the break, as the visitors unleashed 38 unanswered points to cruise to victory.
Fullback Michael Collins snatched the lead with a try in the left corner, capitalising on a long run by winger Vilimoni Koroi.
Four further tries - two in quick succession to Matt Whaanga and Donald Brighouse - capped a breakout performance for Otago on the road.
"We've had a tough wee start to the season with a couple of losses," said Otago captain Collins. "But we know, in this competition, you only have to put a couple of performances together and we challenged the boys to do that.
"They stood up, which was pleasing to see.
"We've got a couple of wee gems on the outside who can work some magic and we've got to have confidence, the more we can play with the ball, the more it will open up for us."
Otago host Northland in Dunedin next Friday, while Manawatu visit Canterbury on Thursday.
Otago 50 (Naulia Dawai, Dylan Nel, Jona Nareki, Matt Whaanga, Michael Collins, Donald Brighouse & Melani Matavao tries; Josh Ioane six conversions & penalty) Manawatu 17 (Rob Thompson, Laloifi Junior Laloifi & Faalelai Sione tries; Jade Te Rure conversion)
Newshub.
