Just as I say that replacement halfback Sonatane Takulua sneaks through around the fringes and dots down under the sticks. Huge Ranger bust set up the field position and the low numbers do the rest.

Northland getting very close to adding their first points of the game. Numerous pick and go's from around the fringe however they can't find any gap in the defence and are crashing into brick walls.

As we enter the final 30. Its Otago with a 16 point lead holding their opposition to zero. This could well be wrapped up earlier than expected...

Smooth hands from Breen and a dummy cut from Jayden Spence bamboozles the home side and winger Matt Faddes cruises in uncontested from the draw and pass. Kick is unsuccessful from wide out.

The rain begins pelting down here at the Toll Stadium making the ball greasy and difficult to play with

Breen adds 3 more as his side push 11 clear.

These scrums are causing huge problems today and the referee has had to reset each scrum at least twice

We welcome the second half with a scrum just seconds in

Referee O'Keefe brings a close to the first 40. Otago have had many scoring chances although have only managed to get 8 points to show for their efforts. Can they keep this tempo through the second half? Northland have managed to hold out well, some nice phases of play put together in the middle of the field while also making good use of the speed out wide. Just 8 points behind at half time this game could be anyones for the taking. First score of the second half is crucial!

Just one minute to go until the half time whistle and Northland are on the attack inside Otago's 10 metre line. Lets see can they make anything of this opportunity.