Otago reach first NPC final since 2005
- harrisonryburn18
- Oct 18
- 1 min read
Otago have confirmed their place in the 2025 Bunnings NPC final, after a 41-17 victory over Bay of Plenty in the first of the semi-finals at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Friday night.
Leading 21-12 at half-time, the blue and golds scored 20 points in the second half to pull away from the Steamers.
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The result means Otago are just one win away from their first NPC title since 1998, and will play in their first final since 2005 next weekend.
Bay of Plenty scored the opening try through Veveni Lasaqa, and led 12-7 after 20 minutes.
That was as good as it got for them though, Jona Nareki, Cristian Lio-Willie, and Will Stodart all scoring first half tries to give Otago the lead at the break.
Dylan Pledger and Finn Hurley then rounded out the victory for the southerners with a further two tries in the second half.
Otago will meet either Canterbury or Hawke's Bay in the final next weekend. The second semi-final will be played on Saturday night, at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch.
If Hawke's Bay win, Otago will host the final in Dunedin. If Canterbury win, Otago will make the trip to Christchurch.
