18 Sep 2015

Otago come from behind to win thriller

11:41 am on 18 September 2015

Otago came from behind to claim a thrilling 37-36 win over Wellington in their provincial rugby Championship match at Westpac Stadium on Thursday night.

Otago's Matt Faddes scored twice in the win over Wellington.

Otago's Matt Faddes scored twice in the win over Wellington. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Wellington picked up two bonus points to return to the top of the Championship despite falling to back-to-back losses.

The win means Otago head back to the top four of the Championship ladder with 12 points, one point behind Bay of Plenty in third.

Having made over 160 tackles, Otago somehow managed to turn a 36-23 deficit with three minutes to play into a bonus-point victory in the capital.

Before the match, Wellington hadn't conceded a first-half try throughout the competition.

However Otago needed just two minutes to score as they raced out to an early 10-0 lead.

Wellington fought back midway through the first half but Otago kicked their way to a 23-18 lead at the break.

Wellington came to life in the second spell and when flanker Ardie Savea scored a deserved try in the 72nd minute, they went ahead 36-23 and looked to have claimed a comfortable win.

However, two converted tries from Otago in the final three minutes put paid to that.