Otago 2023
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Key points from the article. No Josh Ioane. No Ray Nu'u. Likely to be Christian Lio-Willie's last year. Kieran McLea is probably the third halfback. Semisi Tupou-Ta’eiloa might be heading to Southland on loan. No one to come in from outside Otago.
https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/five-or-six-new-faces-likely-be-named-otago-squad
Five or six new faces likely to be named in Otago squad
There could be up to a half a dozen surprises when the Otago NPC squad is named late next week.
Well, surprises might be slightly overstating it. But there will be some new faces.Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Kinley said there had been strong retention of players from last year which meant there were not a lot of open slots.
"There could be up to another five or six contracts still to be offered," he confirmed.
"There will also be another 10-11-12 players who will not be fully contracted, but will be brought into the squad to cover injuries and some of those players will get game time in the NPC this year."
The Otago players based in the United States are expected back, so the likes of hooker Henry Bell and halfback Kieran McClea will return for the NPC.
Crusaders No 8 Christian Lio-Willie’s playing contract has a year to run. He is a powerful ball-carrier and Otago will be hoping to get the best out of him.
Highlanders lock Josh Dickson is destined for Japan, but it is understood he will turn out for Otago before he departs the country.
First five Josh Ioane is not returning for personal reasons.
The one-game All Black struggled for form last season and was overtaken by Cameron Millar.
Midfielder Ray Nu’u is not returning, which could open up a spot for the likes of Josh Whaanga. The Taieri centre has impressed in his rookie premier grade season.
Otago wants to see robust Kaikorai loosie Semisi Tupou-Ta’eiloa in action during at NPC level and has been working with Southland "on where Semisi might be best placed to get some game time this year".
"That is a work in progress at the moment."
The youngster looks a keeper, so Otago will want to get the wording right on any loan agreement, if that is what is happening.
Last year, Wellington halfback Kemara Hauiti-Parapara and Waikato loose forward Rupeni Tamani were brought in to boost the squad.
However, Kinley said Otago was unlikely to go outside of the province to fill any perceived vacancies this season.
"I can say, at the moment, that we are not looking at anyone from outside the region. We’ve got some good depth coming through the community rugby programme, and also the trial game last week showed there is some good depth there.
"I think we’ll have a very competitive side, with the new talent coming through and the retention of some experienced players."
@SouthernMann said in Otago 2023:
First five Josh Ioane is not returning for personal reasons.
I'm intrigued where Ioane ends up. If he plays NPC it could be for a province closer to home (Auckland), or is he off? NH might be an option given Gatland's injury.
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with millar out we really could have used him too
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I'm not too phased about losing Ioane. At his best he is fantastic. Generally doesn't hit that bar very often though. I have a feeling Otago would have gone with a position of we won't fight for you, and if you want to head elsewhere, go for it.
Millar's injury makes things tough. But, from a player development position. We have an idea what he can do. This will give us an opportunity to see what Faleafaga can produce. I'd expect he will be backed up by Hurley, Gilbert and may be Obey Samate.
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I'm not too phased about losing Ioane. At his best he is fantastic. Generally doesn't hit that bar very often though. I have a feeling Otago would have gone with a position of we won't fight for you, and if you want to head elsewhere, go for it.
Millar's injury makes things tough. But, from a player development position. We have an idea what he can do. This will give us an opportunity to see what Faleafaga can produce. I'd expect he will be backed up by Hurley, Gilbert and may be Obey Samate.
@SouthernMann I wouldn't necessarily take the ODT as gospel. I think it is possible in the wake of an injury we would try and sign a first five from elsewhere for the sake of cover. It will partially depend on whether they planned on using Faleafaga in midfield.
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I just don't see the point in chasing a first five. Who would there be out there. It isn't the ODT as gospel. It is the direct quote from Kinley.
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I just don't see the point in chasing a first five. Who would there be out there. It isn't the ODT as gospel. It is the direct quote from Kinley.
@SouthernMann Yep, was just making the general point r.e the ODT. As for signing a first five, it would obviously depend on who is available and Millar's injury, but I am very confident they don't rate the local first fives barring Faleafaga and Millar. Gilbert and Hurley might be the defacto backups... interesting there is no mention of Koroi, it is like everyone forgot he exists! No mention of Freedom either, though we know he isn't coming back.
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@SouthernMann Yep, was just making the general point r.e the ODT. As for signing a first five, it would obviously depend on who is available and Millar's injury, but I am very confident they don't rate the local first fives barring Faleafaga and Millar. Gilbert and Hurley might be the defacto backups... interesting there is no mention of Koroi, it is like everyone forgot he exists! No mention of Freedom either, though we know he isn't coming back.
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@frugby freedom as 10? or just in general? we know he's playing league in auckland so gone burger
i'd have koroi in there but im a koroi fan and thought i was on my own
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And with all of our injuries, you'd have Koroi in a heartbeat. At the moment, our only fit backs which are already signed might be: Hastie, Arscott, Faleafaga, Umaga-Jensen, Gilbert, Nareki and Hurley.
Millar and Timu could be gone for the season, and who knows what is happening with Te Hiwi. A bit concerning...
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@Kiwiwomble Freedom as a 10 lol. Could you imagine?! Realise he is gone burger, just more pointing out the fact the article name drops Ioane, but not Koroi or Freedom. Particularly weird as Koroi has played over 50 games for the side.
@frugby said in Otago 2023:
@Kiwiwomble Freedom as a 10 lol. Could you imagine?! Realise he is gone burger, just more pointing out the fact the article name drops Ioane, but not Koroi or Freedom. Particularly weird as Koroi has played over 50 games for the side.
i assume its just a case of its very clear freedom has gone but ioane was more of a ? until now
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@frugby said in Otago 2023:
@Kiwiwomble Freedom as a 10 lol. Could you imagine?! Realise he is gone burger, just more pointing out the fact the article name drops Ioane, but not Koroi or Freedom. Particularly weird as Koroi has played over 50 games for the side.
i assume its just a case of its very clear freedom has gone but ioane was more of a ? until now
@Kiwiwomble That's true, but no mention of Koroi is bizarre.
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just looked and he's not active on insta or anything...
edit...the only rugby team he follows except NZ/Otago/Highlanders....the Sharks.....
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Jake Te Hiwi has been in trainings with GI so he's getting closer to returning. Maybe misses the first week or 2 of npc. Vili was injured as per the Highlanders lineup announcements each week. He had a knee injury so who knows how far away he'll be. In terms of five eighths, Ajay and Sam will be used as 10s and Obey and maybe Jacob Waikari-Jones or Caleb Leef will be that injury cover 10 they're talking about. Finn probably won't be used at 10. I think they reckon he's better at 15. IMO he's a better full back than first five as he has more time to do things there and can play a second play maker like what Hunt did for the landers or beaudie does with the abs.
BACKLINE:
9 James Arscott
10 Sam Gilbert
11 Jona Nareki
12 Ajay Faleafaga/Thomas Umaga-Jensen
13 Thomas Umaga-Jensen/Jake Te Hiwi
14 ??
15 Finn Hurley21 Nathan Hastie
22 Ajay Faleafaga. If Jake is fit
23 ??It does look shaky.
FORWARDS:
1 Abraham Pole
2 Ricky Jackson
3 Jermaine Ainsley
4 Fabian Holland
5 Josh Dickson
6 James Lentjes
7 Sean Withy
8 Christian Lio-Willie16 Henry Bell
17 Tau Koloamatangi (if Tonga, then ??)
18 Saula Ma'u/Rohan Wingham
19 Josh Hill/Will Tucker
20 Oliver Haig/Sam FischliMuch better depth in the forwards
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Shit club rugby defence, but the first try makes me feel excited about big Oscar should he get a chance. While the second one is a decent showing from the midget Hurley https://fb.watch/ljHZ_v6PfP/?mibextid=NnVzG8
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Jake Te Hiwi has been in trainings with GI so he's getting closer to returning. Maybe misses the first week or 2 of npc. Vili was injured as per the Highlanders lineup announcements each week. He had a knee injury so who knows how far away he'll be. In terms of five eighths, Ajay and Sam will be used as 10s and Obey and maybe Jacob Waikari-Jones or Caleb Leef will be that injury cover 10 they're talking about. Finn probably won't be used at 10. I think they reckon he's better at 15. IMO he's a better full back than first five as he has more time to do things there and can play a second play maker like what Hunt did for the landers or beaudie does with the abs.
BACKLINE:
9 James Arscott
10 Sam Gilbert
11 Jona Nareki
12 Ajay Faleafaga/Thomas Umaga-Jensen
13 Thomas Umaga-Jensen/Jake Te Hiwi
14 ??
15 Finn Hurley21 Nathan Hastie
22 Ajay Faleafaga. If Jake is fit
23 ??It does look shaky.
FORWARDS:
1 Abraham Pole
2 Ricky Jackson
3 Jermaine Ainsley
4 Fabian Holland
5 Josh Dickson
6 James Lentjes
7 Sean Withy
8 Christian Lio-Willie16 Henry Bell
17 Tau Koloamatangi (if Tonga, then ??)
18 Saula Ma'u/Rohan Wingham
19 Josh Hill/Will Tucker
20 Oliver Haig/Sam FischliMuch better depth in the forwards
@NateHill74 What about Waisake Naholo for the 14 jersey? Problem is hes so injury prone though
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@NateHill74 What about Waisake Naholo for the 14 jersey? Problem is hes so injury prone though
@Kiwidom the cage would love it ,Wai-sake-na-holo , Wai-sake-na-holo
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Have him around the team in a mentoring role. Massive on the big fella and I'm sure he can add some value supporting the younger lads.
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Naholo has said he'd be available but I don't rate his chances of playing. Maybe a late injury cover later in the season I'm feeling. Just getting that sort of vibe for him
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Naholo should be carving up at club level so has to be a concern if he's not even starting
