Otago: New Zealand Rugby's Fairytale Story?

After 3 games this season, the Otago Razorbacks have won 2, lost 1. Their wins have come against their Championship rivals from either ends of the country (Northland and Southland), while their loss has come against one of the stronger sides in the Premiership (Bay of Plenty).

Tamati Ellison: huge acquisition for the Razorbacks this season

Let's not forget that 6 months ago, Otago were fighting to stave off almost certain liquidation. The NZRU was set to take over Dunedin and Otago Country club competitions and the threat of Otago not having a team compete in New Zealand rugby's beloved provincial competition for the first time in 131 years was very real.

Former legend, now coach, Tony Brown. Will it be a Party at Tony Brown's again? 

This year's Otago NPC squad has been very much cobbled together at the last minute by coach Tony Brown. There is quite a bit of Japanese flair with Japanese internationals, Fumiaki Tanaka and Shota Horie, featuring in a squad laden with a mixture of emerging youth, established club players and a few faithful Super rugby players like the Ellison brothers and current All Blacks when they're available like Ben Smith and Adam Thomson.

Funnily enough, Otago's one loss came when Smith and Thomson played - not that they were to blame really.

It is already remarkable that Otago have been able to field a team in the NPC given the scarcity of finances available. It is a bit of a miracle that they've pulled off some very good wins against two of the Championship's favourites for promotion - and let's not forget that Northland went on to beat Waikato after their opening season loss to Otago in Dunedin.

Ok, it's still a bit early to say whether Otago can maintain a strong enough challenge for promotion even if the 2 wins they have got now under the belt have given them a good platform to push for a place in next year's Premiership. It's Championship opposition all the way until the last 4 rounds when they face Hawkes Bay (away), Wellington (home) and then a trip to promotion favourites, Manawatu and finish off with Auckland (home).

Young first-five, Hayden Parker, has been very impressive at the key pivot position this season.

If Otago can overcome this new "favourites" tag they've now adopted following an impressive win over Southland in difficult conditions, get wins against Counties Manukau, North Harbour and Tasman, fans of the blue and gold perhaps could start dreaming of an unlikely tilt at promotion.

Given the roller coaster ride that they've had to go through this season, it would be quite a happy, fairytale ending to this ugliest of Ugly Duckling stories. Promotion would be the greatest icing on the cake.