Otago 2022

[Kiwiwomble]

@FakatavaAllBlack havent heard of anything new injury wise, good point

[mikey07]

A couple of Wainui players in that squad TUJ and now Josh Robertson-Weepu.

[NateHill74]

@mikey07 Yeah. Josh was playing club last year for Harbour then got called into the otago squad as a backup player when Josh Ioane was injured. He never played but he has gotten injured this year but was playing well, maybe he's back now but not 100% sure yet. And versatile at full back too which helps too

[SouthernMann]

The Dunedin winger I was thinking of is Oscar Schmidt-Uili. Although that Joe Cooke looks sharp.

[NateHill74]

@SouthernMann Mm. Joe has come down from Auckland. Maybe to break into the Otago squad but he was the top try scorer in Auckland club rugby last year. Oscar is quick as well but I don't know if Tom will pick him with the other wingers we have

[Tim]

Cooke looks to have some decent size to him.

[mikey07]

@NateHill74 Unfortunately the poor guy seems to have bad luck with injuries hopefully he’s over them.

[NateHill74]

@mikey07 Yeah, he's done well for Dunedin so hopefully the form continues

[macmanus]

A halfback out of Wellington and a ball-carrying No. 8 out of Waikato https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/club-rugby/rare-apology-column

[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.

[Grooter]

@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.

[Grooter]

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