Otargo defeated Wellington 61 to 22 in the NPC on 23 August 2026, a result that ended the visitors' run of five straight defeats. The hosts, who had not won since their match against Southland in early August, played the second half with ease and never looked back. The final scoreline reflected a comfortable afternoon for the home side, who took control early and kept their foot on the accelerator.
Wellington's recent form had been poor, having lost six of their last seven games across all competitions. Their last victory came back in September 2025 against Taranaki, and since then they have simply not been able to string results together. Against Otargo they were outplayed from start to finish, and the margin of defeat left little room for doubt.
Otargo's previous outing against Manawatu had ended in a narrow loss, but they responded with a performance that showed character and intent. They worked the channels effectively and put pressure on Wellington's defensive line throughout. The home side capitalized on their opportunities and did not gift the opposition any easy points.
The 39-point margin was significant, particularly given Wellington's struggles this season. They had not scored more than 47 points in any of their recent fixtures, and were unable to match Otargo's output. The hosts' attack looked sharp, while the visitors' defence appeared disjointed and reactive.
The result leaves Otargo with momentum going forward, while Wellington's position in the table is now under further scrutiny. The gap between the two sides on this day was substantial, and the visitors have work to do before their next fixture.