Otago 2022

[Canes4life]

@macmanus I wonder who that would be. Connor Collins has played for the Wellington Lions in recent seasons, Logan Love (brother of Ruben Love) played for the Hurricanes under 20s, and Sam Howling was another halfback in the Hurricanes under 20s. Those are probably the obvious ones.

[Bovidae]

@macmanus said in Otago 2022:

A halfback out of Wellington and a ball-carrying No. 8 out of Waikato

I wonder who that could be. I don't think that every one of the no.8s used by Waikato last year can all be in the squad. Rupeni Tamani could be that player, as he is older than the others.

[SouthernMann]

Be someone to share the eight load with Christian Lio-Willie. So someone in the I'll walk through brick walls mould. I suspect they will be playing Withy and Lentjes at 6&7. With Sam Fischli around a swell.

[macmanus]

Slade McDowall will play for Manawatu

[Kiwiwomble]

@macmanus he's from otago isnt he? played for Otago boys at least, bit of a surprise

[SouthernMann]

@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2022:

@macmanus he's from otago isnt he? played for Otago boys at least, bit of a surprise

Probably asked if he would make the Otago squad.

With the likes of Lentjes, Withy and others was told probably not, so went and found a new home.

[macmanus]

@SouthernMann he played only 5 games (4 subs) last year. He’s is contracted with NE FreeJacks until 2024 so it’s a bit rare…

[SouthernMann]

Otago squad for NPC https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/otago-gains-wellington-waikato-players
Have picked up Tamani from Waikato and Kemara Hauiti-Parapara from Wellington. Rest of the squad quite predictable, interesting to see Freedom Vahaakolo back, I thought he was gone.

[Torian]

@Bovidae said in Otago 2022:

@macmanus said in Otago 2022:

A halfback out of Wellington and a ball-carrying No. 8 out of Waikato

I wonder who that could be. I don't think that every one of the no.8s used by Waikato last year can all be in the squad. Rupeni Tamani could be that player, as he is older than the others.

Wednesday lotto numbers?

[Bovidae]

@FakatavaAllBlack I wish.

Tamani has been playing openside for his club in recent weeks, so has some versatility. Finau has been the no.8.

[Torian]

@Bovidae would love to see Otago go all the way like it's 98 all over again

[Bovidae]

@FakatavaAllBlack 1998? I don't remember. Now 1992 was great!

[SouthernMann]

@Bovidae said in Otago 2022:

@FakatavaAllBlack I wish.

Tamani has been playing openside for his club in recent weeks, so has some versatility. Finau has been the no.8.

Is Tamani really 35?

[Bovidae]

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2022:

Is Tamani really 35?

I have no idea. I wasn't familiar with Tamani until he was brought into the Waikato squad during the NPC. @OleOleOle or @ploughboy might be able to answer that question.

[SouthernMann]

Nine seasons ago he was playing club footy in Wairarapa Bush.

The stats Ive found have him at 35. Seems a stupid signing to bring a 35-year-old journeyman down!

[macmanus]

@Bovidae https://rakaviti.com/players/rupeni-tamani/

[macmanus]

@SouthernMann https://www.instagram.com/p/CenTawJru_7/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

[SouthernMann]

@macmanus

Piss poor draft in.

Also strange Otago and the Highlanders are reading from different books with Gilbert and Koroi being seen by the Highlanders as 10s, while they are outside backs for Otago.

[Bovidae]

@macmanus OK. Tamani doesn't play like a 35-yr old. BTW, the no.6 in that photo is Adam Thomson, who's 40.

[SouthernMann]

@Bovidae said in Otago 2022:

@macmanus OK. Tamani doesn't play like a 35-yr old. BTW, the no.6 in that photo is Adam Thomson, who's 40.

Former All Black Adam Thomson? He just keeps on going and going