Otago 2021

[SouthernMann]

That's an updated list from the ORFU that seems to have gone up this morning.

So, can't see any reason why it wouldn't be correct.

From the looks of things there's some gaps for a

Third halfback
Third hooker
A prop or two, including Hisa Sasagi
Two locks
Two or three lose forwards
Third first five
A couple of outside backs

[Kiwiwomble]

@southernmann hopefully all the "third" positions are taken by u20 guys, we have two u20 NZ halfbacks in the Highlanders, surely one of them if from otago?

[macmanus]

@kiwiwomble Hastie

[Kiwiwomble]

@macmanus said in Otago 2021:

Hastie

cheers, hopefully we'll seen Sean Withy get called up too

[macmanus]

@southernmann
Hooker: Henry Bell
Props: Aoina?
Locks: Hill, Knapp, Holland ?
Loosies: Whithy, Elton, Fischli, Leo-Willie
First-five: Levi Emery, Boyle (if he return)

[shark]

What's your best guess at a full Otago squad lads? I agree the depth especially in the backs looks really good and should make for some exciting combinations.

[Kiwiwomble]

@shark i'll admit to not knowing enough about the club scene to pick those that will come in to fill the squad

[Kiwiwomble]

Naholo playing club rugby in Dunedin....

[Yeetyaah]

@kiwiwomble surely he can play in the NPC. Would be good to see him back there.

[Kiwiwomble]

@yeetyaah yeah, its interesting because he always played for taranaki, only played club when in dunners for the Highlanders....so why come down unless he was going to try and play for otago

i would feel a bit sorry for Freedom though he he did

[shark]

@kiwiwomble I'm just keen to see a potential list assembled on paper. Seems like it could be pretty exciting and when you add in the likes of Naholo potentially, possibly on a similar level to the Highlanders' backs.

[Kiwiwomble]

@shark biggest difference is 10…ioane barely played there and when he did he didn’t looks comfortable

[SouthernMann]

@shark The best we have at the moment is this list of players contracted for this year. http://www.orfu.co.nz/HIGH-PERFORMANCE/NPC/2021-Player-Profiles

I'd expect you can certainly add names like

Fabian Holland
Nathan Hastie
Sean Withy
Hisa Sasagi
Freedom Vahaakolo
Josh Timu
Giovanni Leituala
Levi Emery

Liam Squire is also potentially on his way back from injury and will need to play some building supplier rugby as well. So he could be a chance too. Adding him and Naholo will certainly add some star power.

[Stargazer]

@southernmann Liam Squire, maybe more chance he re-signs with Ta$man?

[macmanus]

1. Aoina? , Fa’agase, Bower (ABs)

2. Coltman. Jackson, Bell

3. Ainsley, Ma’u, Hohneck (1 or 3), Sisagi

4. Dickson, Hill

5. Tucker, Holland?

6. Elton, Misiloi, Withy

7. Lentjes, McDowell

8. Nel, Fischli, Lio-Willie

9. Hammington, Arscott, Hastie?

10. Ioane, Emery, Boyle ?

11. Nareki, Scott ?

12. TUJ, Tomkinson, Ray Nu’u

13. Timu, Leituala

14. Vaahakolo, Gilbert

15. Koroi, Faddes

[macmanus]

The numbers

[SouthernMann]

@stargazer Probably depends on whether he wants to leave Dunedin for the season. Staying down there allows him to be closer to his docs he's been working with as well.

I'd see Lentjes starting on the blindside. Like to give Withy an opportunity at seven.

Believe we will start Gilbert at fullback, he's played there for the Highlanders.

Faddes to be a bench player or centre. Although, I'd be keen to see Nu'u and TUJ pair up in the midfield.

Think Tomkinson might stay on the wing, like he did for the Highlanders.

[Stargazer]

@macmanus You can fix that by removing the dots after the numbers.

[Kiwiwomble]

@stargazer said in Otago 2021:

@macmanus You can fix that by removing the dots after the numbers.

@macmanus quickly before @shark sees you have Gilbert at 13!

[macmanus]

@kiwiwomble