The Silver Fern

I talked to Rob Thompson today as he's my coach for school rugby and he's going to Japan and not playing for Bay of Plenty. Confirmed

@Duluth not being rude, but maybe a little biased coming from an auckland fan ?

At least we signed NMS for another season unlike the Blues who signed Carter for Aotearoa and are never going to end up using him at all

Otago has named 10 newcomers to its Mitre 10 Cup squad.
The team, coached by Tom Donnelly, was announced this morning following yesterday's trial at Waikouaiti.

Seven of those newcomers come in the forwards - Henry Bell, Grayson Knapp, Jack Regan, Charles Elton, Samuel Fischli, Christian Leo-Willie and Sean Withy.

Levi Emery, Giovanni Leituala and Freedom Vahaakolo are also new to the team in the backs.

Another trio of Nasi Manu, Jamie Mackintosh and Will Tucker all join Otago, having previously played for other provinces.

Sam Gilbert, James Lentjes, Saula Ma'u and Thomas Umaga-Jensen were all unavailable due to injury.

The side's first competition game is on Saturday September 12.

Otago Mitre 10 Cup squad

Props: Jonah Aoina, George Bower, Josh Hohneck, Jamie Mackintosh, Hisa Sasagi
Hookers: Henry Bell, Liam Coltman, Ricky Jackson
Locks: Josh Dickson, Josh Hill, Grayson Knapp, Jack Regan, Will Tucker
Loose forwards: Charles Elton, Samuel Fischli, Christian Leo-Willie, Nasi Manu, Slade McDowall, Sione Misiloi, Dylan Nel, Sean Withy
Halfbacks: James Arscott, Kayne Hammington
First five-eighths: Harrison Boyle, Levi Emery, Josh Ioane, Vilimoni Koroi
Midfielders: Giovanni Leituala, Aleki Morris-Lome, Josh Timu, Patelesio Tomkinson, Matt Whaanga
Outside backs: Michael Collins, Taylor Haugh, Jona Nareki, Mitchell Scott, Freedom Vahaakolo

Devlopment and Injury Squad:

Lucas Casey (Kaik) LF
Quinten Holland (Dun) LK/LF
A-One Lolofie (Zing) HK
Christian MacEwan (GI) LK
Stan McClure (Kaik) WG
Dylan Pledger (Kaik) HB
Kyan Rangitutia (Dun) WG
Max Ratcliffe (Dun) LF
Moana Takataka (Kaik) PR
Josh Tengblad (Dun) LK
Konrad Toleafoa (Sou) LF

Noticed Freedom Vaha'akolo playing for Dunedin club side Dunedin. Possible transfer move?

Players signed for this season:
George Bower - Prop (Crusaders/Harbour)
Jonah Aoina - Prop (Kaikorai)
Hisa Sasagi - Prop (Southern)
Liam Coltman - Hooker (Highlanders/Alhambra Union)
Ricky Jackson - Hooker (Highlanders/University)
SIone Misiloi - Lock/No 6 (Highlanders/Harbour)
Josh Hill - Lock (University)
Slade McDowall - No 7 (Kaikorai)
Dylan Nel - No 8 (Chiefs/Green Island)
Kayne Hammington - Half Back (Highlanders/Zingari Richmond)
Josh Ioane - First Five/Second Five (Highlanders/Southern)
Aleki Morris-Lome - Midfielder (Harbour)
Sio Tomkinson - Midfielder/Wing (Highlanders/Harbour)
Matt Whaanga - Midfielder (Taieri)
Jona Nareki - Wing (Highlanders/Alhambra Union)
Vilimoni Koroi - Full Back/Utility Back (Highlanders/Alhambra Union)
Michael Collins - Full Back (Highlanders/Taieri)

I talked to Rob Thompson today as he's my coach for school rugby and he's going to Japan and not playing for Bay of Plenty. Confirmed

The odt did the positions, they weren't named as that position, Boyle and Koroi may end up playing some fullback and Collins into centre. Imaginr if our injuries weren't inured, we would be a real force to be reckoned with

Otago v Southland
Invercargill, tomorrow, 4.30pm
Otago: Michael Collins (captain), Freedom Vahaakolo, Josh Timu, Matt Whaanga, Taylor Haugh, Harrison Boyle, Kayne Hammington, Dylan Nel, Slade McDowall, Nasi Manu, Will Tucker, Josh Hill, Josh Hohneck, Ricky Jackson, Jonah Aoina.
Reserves: Henry Bell, Jamie Mackintosh, Hisa Sasagi, Jack Regan, Charles Elton, James Arscott, Levi Emery, Jona Nareki, Sam Fischli, Sean Withy, Vilimoni Koroi.

Props
Abraham Pole
Josh Hohneck
Tau Koloamatangi
George Bower*
Jermaine Ainsley
Saula Ma'u
(Rohan Wingham)
Others: Tevita Pole, Shane Fikken, Jonah Aoina, Jackson Dempster, Cam Allan-McNeill

Hookers
Ricky Jackson
Henry Bell
(Harry Press)
Others: Austin Atiga, Brady Robertson, Jake McEwan

Liam Coltman is gone as we know

Locks
Will Tucker
Josh Dickson
Josh Hill
(Fabian Holland)
Others: Harrison Morton, Aron Einarsson also 6,8, Oliver Haig also 6, Taylor Dale also 6,8

Loosies
Christian Lio-Willie 8
Sam Fischli 6/8
James Lentjes 7
(Sean Withy) 7
(Tom Marshall) 6/8
(Toni Taufa) 7
Others: Leroy Ferguson 7, Jake Russ 6.7, Harry Taylor 6

Slade McDowall is somewhere I believe
Dylan Nel won't be back this season if I'm correct
Charles Elton is overseas

Half Backs
(James Arscott)
(Kieran McClea)
Others: Bob Martin, Motoki Tanaka if fit, Possible outter region import)

Kayne Hammington has left
Nathan Hastie has season ending injury

Fly Halves
Josh Ioane
(Cam Millar)
(Ajay Faleafaga)
Others: Ben McCarthy, Obey Samate, Josh Robertson-Weepu

Midfielders
Raymond Nu'u
Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Josh Timu
(Aleki Morris-Lome)
(Jake Te Hiwi)
Others: Jack Leslie, Brayden Laing, Al Momoisea, Filipo Whitehouse-Opetaia Tovio

Giovanni Leituala is back in Aussie
Sio Tomkinson is heading overseas

Wings
Jona Nareki
(Viliami Fine)
(Joe Cooke)
(Freedom Vaha'akolo)
Others: Jermaine Pepe, Jeremiah Asi

Michael Manson has headed down to Southland
Matt Faddes is I don't know where but won't be back
Mitchell Scott is believed to not want to play rep rugby

Full Backs
Sam Gilbert
Vilimoni Koroi
Others: Levi Emery, Caleb Leef, Finn Hurley

Hey guys,
I'm back for my yearly preview report on the squad. I've got an analysis job in club rugby so have an idea of who the top performing and good options to fill in the squad spots are.
Here's my 2023 squad options:

PROPS: (6) - Need 7/8 as 2 away internationally
Abraham Pole (1) Harbour
Tau Kolomatangi (1) Taieri - Tonga RWC Training Squad
Jermaine Ainsley (3) Southern - All Black XV
Saula Ma'u (3) Harbour
Rohan Wingham (3) Dunedin
George Bower (1) Harbour - All Blacks
Options:
Ben Lopas (1,3) GI - NZ Schools 2019
Oscar Cowley-Andrea (1) Dunedin - Landers U20
Isileli Otunuku (3, Lock) Zingari - Landers U20
Shane Fikken (1) GI
Cam Allan-McNeill (3) Taieri
Moana Takataka (1,3) Kaikorai - Landers U20

HOOKERS: (2) - Need 3
Henry Bell (2,8) Kaikorai
Ricky Jackson (2) University - Coming back from injury, played 2 matches off the bench
Options:
Liam Coltman (2) AU - If your rumours are correct
Harrison Press (2) Dunedin - Brought into squad last year
Brady Robertson (2) Taieri - In squad last year
A-One Lolofie (2) Zingari - Landers U20

LOCKS: (4) - Need 5
Josh Dickson (Lock) University
Fabian Holland (Lock) Dunedin
Will Tucker (Lock) Kaikorai
Josh Hill (Lock, 6) Taieri
Options:
Lawrence Leung-Wai (Lock, 6) Zingari - Landers U20
Harrison Morton (Lock) Kaikorai
Ale Aho (Lock) University - NZ Universities
Reuben Palmer (Lock) Dunedin - Landers U20
Hunter Areaiiti-Burgess (Lock) - Landers U20

LOOSE FORWARDS: (5) - Need 6
Oliver Haig (Lock, 6)
Sean Withy (7)
James Lentjes (7,8) (C)
Christian Lio-Willie (8) - All Black XV
Sam Fischli (6,8)
Options:
Lucas Casey (6,7) Kaikorai - Landers U20
Harry Taylor (6,7,8) Southern
Taylor Dale (8, Lock) Harbour
Konrad Lotu-I'iga (6, Lock) Dunedin
Will Stodart (8,6) University - NZ Under 20
Semisi Tupou-Ta'eiloa (8) Kaikorai - NZ Under 20 Wider Squad
Aaron Withy (6,7) University - NZ Universities, Landers U20
Max Ratcliffe (7) Dunedin - Landers U20
(Rupeni Tamani - Fijian Drua, and been in Fiji squad recently)

HALF BACKS: (2) - Need 3
Nathan Hastie
James Arscott
Options:
Charlie Marsh Kaikorai
Motoki Tanaka University
Tristian Taylor Upper Clutha
Kemara Hauiti-Parapara University - If he signs
Bradley Campbell University - Landers U20
(Kieran McClea is gone, Bob Martin is injured)

FIRST FIVES (2) - Need 3
Cam Millar (10,15)
Ajay Faleafaga (10,12) - NZ Under 20
Options:
Obey Samate (10,15) Harbour - Auckland Dev couple of years back
Jacob Waikari-Jones (10,15) University
Caleb Leef (15,10) Taieri - Brought in short term last year
Josh Ioane (10) - If he resigns
(Jack Leslie - has season ending injury)

MIDFIELDERS (3) - Need 5
Thomas Umaga-Jensen (12,13)
Jake Te Hiwi (12,13,Wing)
Josh Timu (12,13)
Options:
Hugo Lynch (12,13) University
William Tafui (12) Harbour - Southland hasn't signed him
Josh Whaanga (12,13, Wing) Taieri - Landers U20
Aleki Morris-Lome (12,13) Harbour - Southland hasn't signed him
Cameron Burgess (12,13,10) Dunedin - Landers U20
(Ray Nu'u is gone)

OUTSIDE BACKS (3) - Need 6
Jona Nareki (11) AU - All Black XV
Sam Gilbert (15,Utility) GI - All Black XV
Finn Hurley (15,10) GI
Options:
Vilimoni Koroi (15,Utility) AU - Injured
Oscar Schmidt-Uili (11) Dunedin
Mefiposeti Tupou (14,13) Kaikorai - Landers U20
Oliver Foote (15) Kaikorai - Landers U20
Jermaine Pepe (15,Utility) University
Jeremiah Asi (11,15) University - Landers U20
Joe Cooke (14,15) Dunedin
Mackenzie Haugh (15,11) Southern
Waisake Naholo (14) Harbour - He is open to playing NPC
Mitchell Scott (14,Utility) Taieri - Seems to always come back in, has been playing club
(Martin Bogado - don't know his plans, maybe Argentina RWC Squad if selected)
(Freedom Vaha'akolo - haven't heard anything on him)

Here's the forum for Otago and their news for 2025.

Squad starter:

PROPS
George Bower
Ben Lopas
Saula Ma'u
Abraham Pole (Tonga)
Rohan Wingham
BOLTER: Moana Takataka, Steve Salelea, Abraham Lauaki, Darius Fidow

HOOKERS
Henry Bell
Liam Coltman
BOLTER: A-One Lolofie, Heath MacEwan, Gabriel Francesconi

LOCKS
Fabian Holland (AB's?)
BOLTER: Quinten Holland, Christian MacEwan, Boston Hunt, Reuben Palmer
GONE: Ale Aho, Will Tucker

LOOSIES
Ollie Haig
Christian Lio-Willie
Will Stodart
Harry Taylor
Lucas Casey
Max Ratcliffe
BOLTER: Konrad Toleafoa, Amos Roddick, Caine Taylor, Taylor Dale, Matthew Brock
Injury Cover: Slade McDowall (Staying here for family)
GONE: Tom Sanders, Sam Fischli

HALF BACKS
Nathan Hastie
Dylan Pledger
BOLTER: Bradley Campbell, Bob Martin
GONE: James Arscott

FIRST FIVES
Cameron Millar
Ajay Faleafaga??
BOLTER: Rique Miln, Cameron Burgess

MIDFIELDERS
Jake Te Hiwi (Injured)
Josh Timu
Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Josh Whaanga
Sam Gilbert
BOLTER: Riley Lucas, Aleki Morris-Lome, Joe Cooke, Mac Harris
GONE: Jack Leslie

WINGS
Jeremiah Asi
Jona Nareki
Kyan Rangitutia
BOLTER: Wiremu Brailey, Joseph Cockburn

FULL BACKS
Finn Hurley (Injured)
BOLTER: Sam Nemec-Vial (Injured), Charlie Breen

1 Carl Hoeft
2 Anton Oliver
3 Carl Hayman
4 Simon Maling
5 James Ryan
6 Adam Thomson
7 Josh Kronfeld
8 Taine Randell
9 Byron Kelleher
10 Tony Brown
11 John Timu
12 John Leslie
13 Marc Ellis
14 Jeff Wilson
15 Ben Smith

16 Liam Coltman
17 Joe McDonnell
18 Kees Meeuws
19 Tom Donnelly
20 Isitolo Maka
21 Stu Forster
22 Nick Evans
23 Brendan Laney

Squad:
Props -
Carl Hoeft, Kees Meeuws, Carl Hayman, Joe McDonnell, Chris King
Hookers -
Anton Oliver, David Latta, Liam Coltman, Tom Willis
Locks -
Simon Maling, James Ryan, Tom Donnelly, John Blaikie, Frank Oliver, Gordon MacPherson, Richard Knight
Loose Forwards -
Taine Randell, Josh Kronfeld. Isitolo Maka, Adam Thomson, Josh Blackie, Arran Pene, Paul Henderson, Merv Jaffray, Paul Miller, Mike Brewer, Jamie Joseph
Half Backs -
Stu Forster, Byron Kelleher, Chris Laidlaw (David Kirk - 2 seasons)
First Fives -
Tony Brown, Nick Evans, Simon Culhane, Stephen Bachop
Midfielders -
Marc Ellis, Pita Alatini, John Leslie, Tamati Ellison, Lyn Jaffray, (Warwick Taylor 2 seasons)
Outside Backs -
Jeff Wilson, Ben Smith, Paul Cooke, Brendan Laney, Romi Ropati, John Timu, Greg Cooper

only 1 first five for north, no mikaele-tu'u ? these aren't the best teams in the world in terms of current form than what we thought

@Canes4life check Otago rugby Facebook, he's on the injured list for Otago, he's signed with Otago now

@Hooroo marino mikaele-tu'u

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

@Bovidae Yes he is. Playing for Southern at the moment