The Silver Fern

@sparky said in Southland v Otago:

How did CL-W go?

Added a lot of value. Really smart play both side of the ball.

From a both sides perspective.

Jack Taylor. Was absolutely everywhere. Did his core role really well and then made some top draw plays.

Hastie: was the primary playmaker for Otago. Was a real workhorse through the game. Will make a massive impact in Australia.

Stodart: probably one of his best top grade games. Played the big strong tough bastard role well.

Gilbert: just looks a quality player at this level.

Manson: looked more involved. From what I could see, not too many poor reads defensively.

Mika Muliaina: Some nice touches in his short stint. That floating plass on the right handside was quality. Thought Byron Smith was good too.

The intensity: the two sides went bloody hard at eachother.

Bad:

Cam Millar. Was quite a frustrating performance. Did was he was meant to have done well, poorly at time. It was a heck of a bomb from Manson, but you'd expect a Super quality player to catch those every day of the week.

Southland front five: normally a strength. They struggled at times.

On the whole both teams gave it a good go. Neither look like they will be pushing Ta$man, Canterbury or Taranaki but hopefully Otago could give it a nudge towards the top 8. Which will be a nice change.

@Crazy-Horse said in Southland v Otago:

Didn't Scott Gregory bugger off overseas?

I really enjoy the fizz that Jack Taylor offers

Stag Day is looking pretty good at the moment

Cam Millar continuing on his form from Super footy.

Few notable inclusions for the two dirt trackers sides named for the weekend.

• Josh Tengblad is making his return from injury
• Jake Te Hiwi also returning from injury
• Lolofie, Ratcliffe, Toleafoa, Rangitutia all lining up

@SouthernMann said in Black Caps in Zimbabwe:

Looking forward to a scratchy 30 from Nicholls

Disappointing Duffy isn't getting a run.

Nailed it. Scratchy 34.

The Christchurch Super Round scheduled for ANZAC weekend will be announced next week. I have been told.

@jimmyb said in Southland v Otago:

Has anyone had any word on who the potential captain for the season will be?

The captain is listed on the team sheet on socials.

Nationally it seems Muliaina is rated ahead of Inch. Both very talented though. We have had stuff all luck with 10s over the last few years, so will be good if one can kick on. From a Highlanders perspective it would be awesome if it is Muliaina. Having a stable 10 for a decade could be a game changer.

Looking forward to a scratchy 30 from Nicholls

Disappointing Duffy isn't getting a run.

Yeah looks like it will be a transtasman affair for the Super Round. I have been told the draft draw has the Hurricanes playing the Brumbies.

I doubt the All Blacks will be playing 80. I'd expect he plays 50 to 60. With Casey coming on. Taylor Will play 80.

Unfortunately during the club season about half of the openside flankers who lined up most weeks are not eligible for Otago. Taieri had Michael Loft, Kaik Michaels and Rutledge, and Uni Jayden Broome. Plus add in Lepionka and a few others too. The pool of available loosies was a bit shallow.

@frugby said in Southland v Otago:

I think Casey will usurp Taylor in the pecking order quite quickly… I suppose the other consideration might be is that they see CLW playing the 80, and perhaps feel they want a tighter blindsided (e.g Stodart/Elton) as opposed to a ball runner.

Personally I’d be inclined to try run Southland off their feet, but I’m happy to wait for the game to reserve judgement.

Am excited to see how Broomfield goes, and find it intriguing Nemec-Vial has jumped Rangitutia, Nemec injured last year?

Casey shouldn't be viewed as a seven. He is a ball running 6/8. The stats I've seen from club rugby have him dominating in the defenders beaten categories. While Taylor made a lot of impact at the breakdown.

Looked at Kaik's lineups for the club season. He started all but two of his games at 8, with those games at six.

@frugby said in Southland v Otago:

@SouthernMann I guess they see Elton as being able to cover lock, whereas Toleafoa is an out and out eight?

He was supposedly quite good in both pre-season games so should get his chance assuming CLW is away with the ABs.

Stodart can cover lock and goes 80. Not like Elton is a big bloke. Just a mid-sized battler of a six.

Trust your young guys. Play Toleafoa and Casey. Bring them on with 30 to go.

That is a very tidy backline for Ta$man

Rather disappointed with a few of the selections.

Especially Coltman being selected ahead of Lolofie, and Elton ahead of Toleafoa.

The backs are basically who is fit.

Excited to see Mika Muliaina on the Southland bench

Adam Lennox has also played a fairbit of wing and fullback for Taranaki and the Landers.

Southland looking set to debut Mika Muliaina at some point. Will only be 18 when he gets a start this season. Have seen a few highlights of the kid. Reckon he will be a special talent. I reckon he could debut with the Landers before he is 20.

Logan Savory

Sav's Sidelines: Muliaina in line to join 18-year-olds club

Sav's Sidelines - the weekly column that looks at Southland rugby, from the grassroots to the professional ranks.

What is the stacked Ta$man backline going to be?

9 Christie
10 Havili
11 Springer
12 Jim the Difference
13 Faingaʻanuku
14 Taumoefolau
15 Havili/Roninson?

Or put Taumoefolau at the back and either Faingaʻanuku or Jim to the wing?

So much talent. Not forgetting that Aumua rips it up in the NPC