Otago 2021
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Really happy with this squad.
A strong foundation up front, some good carrying fetching loose forwards. My only issue with the pack, is that we don't seem to have many players who are string in the carry. Nel, Coltman, Lentjes and Withy potentially. But, no one really damaging.
The backline should be fairly outstanding at this level. Every one of them should be able to hold their own/excel.
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@kiwiwomble said in Otago 2021:
Am i reading too much into naming halfbacks and first fives as “inside backs”?
Just two of each seem lite
No josh timu which is disappointing, thought he started to look good last year
The team list Stuff released had Koroi at first five, for what it's worth. Hastie might be covering 10? I think he moved there at one point for the Highlanders U20
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https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/highlanders-do-lot-not-enough-0
Hastie started at halfback before switching to the wing in the second half, while Withy carried strongly throughout.Yea, looks like you're right. I thought he was a bit more involved than that - guess this is evidence my memory is going.
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so hastie is a halfback? the official list has three halfbacks, one 10 (who didn't play 10 in super rugby) and one outside who can cover 10...but rarely does
dont get me wrong, in general its a string squad but im a bit nervous about 10
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so hastie is a halfback? the official list has three halfbacks, one 10 (who didn't play 10 in super rugby) and one outside who can cover 10...but rarely does
dont get me wrong, in general its a string squad but im a bit nervous about 10
@kiwiwomble said in Otago 2021:
so hastie is a halfback? the official list has three halfbacks, one 10 (who didn't play 10 in super rugby) and one outside who can cover 10...but rarely does
dont get me wrong, in general its a string squad but im a bit nervous about 10
Yes, he is. Cam Millar is training with the squad as cover.
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I've decided to have a go at a full strength side.
Jermaine Ainsley
Liam Coltman
George Bower
Josh Dickson
Will Tucker
James Lentjes
Sean Withy
Dylan NelKayne Hammington
Josh Ioane
Jona Nareki
Ray Nu'u
Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Freedom Vahaakolo
Sam GilbertRicky Jackson
Josh Hohneck
Sef Fa'agase
Fabian Holland
Slade McDowall
James Arscott
Vili Koroi
Sio Tomkinson -
I've decided to have a go at a full strength side.
Jermaine Ainsley
Liam Coltman
George Bower
Josh Dickson
Will Tucker
James Lentjes
Sean Withy
Dylan NelKayne Hammington
Josh Ioane
Jona Nareki
Ray Nu'u
Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Freedom Vahaakolo
Sam GilbertRicky Jackson
Josh Hohneck
Sef Fa'agase
Fabian Holland
Slade McDowall
James Arscott
Vili Koroi
Sio Tomkinson@southernmann would love to see it, wil be surprised if they start withy ove slade
and sio is untouchable so will start if fit (not banned)
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Sean Withy is their golden boy who was called into the Highlanders earlier in the year. There's a good chance he could be starting. McDowall, despite his solid performances hasn't been rated that highly by coaches.
As for the midfield. Between Sio, TUJ, Faddes and Nu'u, anyone two of them could start. I just think that TUJ and Nu'u will have the most punch. On the other hand I'd like to see TUJ spend the season at 12.
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Sorry for my long break. I've come back fresh for the 2021 season and I've been looking into the squad and the Prem comp for a long time. I believe that this year we take down the Bay for the shield, defending it against Canterbury etc. we should be pushing to be top overall this season and should be favourites to be promoted.
My team and the backups for each position is
1 G Bower, J Aoina, A Pole, T Pole
2 L Coltman, R Jackson, H Bell
3 J Ainsley, J Hohneck, S Fa'agase
4 J Dickson, J Hill
5 W Tucker, F Holland
6 S Withy, S Fischli
7 J Lentjes, S McDowall
8 D Nel, C Lio-Willie
9 K Hammington, J Arscott, N Hastie
10 J Ioane, V Koroi
11 J Nareki, V Fine
12 R Nu'u, G Leituala, A Morris-Lome
13 S Tomkinson, M Faddes, T Umaga-Jensen
14 F Vaha'akolo, M Faddes
15 V Koroi, S Gilbert#1 Lineup
1 Giorgio Bower
2 Liam Coltman
3 Jermaine Ainsley
4 Josh Dickson
5 Will Tucker
6 Sean Withy
7 James Lentjes (c)
8 Dylan Nel
9 Kayne Hammington
10 Josh Ioane
11 Jona Nareki
12 Raymond Nu'u
13 Sio Tomkinson
14 Freedom Vaha'akolo
15 Vilimoni Koroi16 Ricky Jackson
17 Jonah Aoina
18 Josh Hohneck
19 Josh Hill
20 Slade McDowall
21 James Arscott
22 Thomas Umaga-Jensen
23 Matt Faddes -
Only reason I said Sio at 13 is cause Ray is the top 12 after his Prem season, and they like Sio so they'll start him, I'd switch him and TUJ around
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Only reason I said Sio at 13 is cause Ray is the top 12 after his Prem season, and they like Sio so they'll start him, I'd switch him and TUJ around
@natehill74 said in Otago 2021:
Only reason I said Sio at 13 is cause Ray is the top 12 after his Prem season, and they like Sio so they'll start him, I'd switch him and TUJ around
Was going to flame you until I saw this
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Interesting take @NateHill74
As mentioned Koroi won't be back until halfway through the season, even though he missed the Sevens squad. Same with Bower in the All Blacks. Even with Koroi available, I still reckon they will prefer by Sam gilbert at fullback.
The midfield is really fascinating. Was interesting to read that TUJ played at 13, not 12 for the Bookworms over the weekend. My hope is that he plays in the midfield alongside Nu'u. I like the idea of having Sio on the bench, covering wing and midfield. TUJ is such a key player for both the Highlanders and Otago going forward, so really hope he gets some decent game time.
No first five coverage until Koroi gets back, apart from Miller. Don't know much about him, except that he's a gun goal kicker. Is he ready for this level of rugby?
I'm just stoked to see how much depth the squad has.
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yeah, think im more keen to see gilbert at 15 and Koroi as 22/23. with so little depth at 10 id like Koroi to specialise a little once he gets back
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Yeah Uni had Gio and he's a beast at 12, I went to school with him. It'll be intriguing how he goes and what time he gets too. He can play 10 if needed and can goal kick. Miller isn't bad, his kicking is his strength. Only ran the OBHS 1st XV from 10 in year 13 but the Highlanders U20 he wasn't too bad. Taieri has been good with him, but yeah his experince at this level, maybe play against Manawatu or Counties
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Paul Dwyer has just mentioned on ODT rugby chat that Thomas Umaga-Jensen might be out for the season. He said that he may have done his ACL on the weekend.
This kid just can't catch a break.
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Paul Dwyer has just mentioned on ODT rugby chat that Thomas Umaga-Jensen might be out for the season. He said that he may have done his ACL on the weekend.
This kid just can't catch a break.
@southernmann fuck, poor bastard, was a real chance to build towards being the starting centre for the landers too
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Paul Dwyer has just mentioned on ODT rugby chat that Thomas Umaga-Jensen might be out for the season. He said that he may have done his ACL on the weekend.
This kid just can't catch a break.
@southernmann Geez, again. Don't know what those U-J boys are made of, but it doesn't have "luck" as an ingredient.
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Paul Dwyer has just mentioned on ODT rugby chat that Thomas Umaga-Jensen might be out for the season. He said that he may have done his ACL on the weekend.
This kid just can't catch a break.
@southernmann damn, yeah hopefully it's not too long. Or hope he can play come the end of the comp
