Otago 2025
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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 FidowHOOKERS
Henry Bell
Liam Coltman
BOLTER: A-One Lolofie, Heath MacEwan, Gabriel FrancesconiLOCKS
Fabian Holland (AB's?)
BOLTER: Quinten Holland, Christian MacEwan, Boston Hunt, Reuben Palmer
GONE: Ale Aho, Will TuckerLOOSIES
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 FischliHALF BACKS
Nathan Hastie
Dylan Pledger
BOLTER: Bradley Campbell, Bob Martin
GONE: James ArscottFIRST FIVES
Cameron Millar
Ajay Faleafaga??
BOLTER: Rique Miln, Cameron BurgessMIDFIELDERS
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 LeslieWINGS
Jeremiah Asi
Jona Nareki
Kyan Rangitutia
BOLTER: Wiremu Brailey, Joseph CockburnFULL BACKS
Finn Hurley (Injured)
BOLTER: Sam Nemec-Vial (Injured), Charlie Breen -
@Kiwidom said in Otago 2025:
London Scottish
Is Pommie Div 2 much of a step up as I don't think they are exactly flush in cash despite it costing one hundred and ten quid to become a social member?Incidentally I see Mark Bright is no longer plying his trade in their pro ranks after what must have been about a thousand games but is still listed as a player/coach within the Amateur side of the club
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Paul Dwyer believes Coltman is back. Solana is already in Southland. Fischli going south too. Lepionka a Southland aligned player too. Dwyer reckons Bob Martin being courted back from Australia. Gilbert staying for NPC. Te Hiwi should be available for the NPC? Hurley to return to club rugby in the next couple of weeks.
Here is the squad I think we are roughly tracking to:
A one lolofie
Henry bell
Liam Coltman
Moana takataka
Ben Lopas
Rohan Wingham
Salu Ma'u
George Bower
Abraham PoleFabian Holland
Will Stodart
Oli Haig
Quentin Holland?
Will Tucker - seems likelyHarry Taylor
Lucas Casey
Max Ratcliffe
Christian Lio-Willie
Konrad ToleafoaNathan Hastie
Dylan Pledger
Bob MartinCam Millar
Rique Miln/TUJ
Jake Te Hiwi
Josh Whaanga
Sam Gilbert
Josh Timu?Jeremiah Asi
Jona Nareki
Kyan Rangitutia
Fin Hurley
Sam Nemac-Vial?
A Nother outside back -
Hearing Hurley has retweaked his quad injury, not sure of the severity yet though … tbc
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@CtownCowboy said in Otago 2025:
Hearing Hurley has retweaked his quad injury, not sure of the severity yet though … tbc
That'd be disappointing. I was told by someone last weekend he was looking good for a return in a couple of weeks. Kid needs to be back on the field.
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A few thoughts
- Surley if Will Tucker is locked in at the Canes he should be with Otago this season?
- What happened with Ale Aho? Highlanders high performance programme, fast tracked into NPC. Waratahs contract. Then suddenly midway through the super rugby season he's playing club rugby in Christchurch. Can anyone help me understand what went wrong? And where he's off too next?
- With Fabian Holland potentially in the All Blacks. How the hell did we not lock down Tengblad?
- How Aione Lolife gone in club rugby this year? He dosn't seem to factor into Highlanders plans with the rise of Kempton and probably has Mcewan, Coltman and Bell ahead of him at Otago. Can't head south either given the logjam of hookers there too.
- Is Josh Timu still playing? I haven't followed club rugby this season. Feel like he's been made of glass since 2020. Similarly has Tom Sanders retired?
- Is Waisake still floating around Dunedin? Know he got an NPC contract a year or two back and immediately got injured. Would he still be a chance to make this squad?
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@handa457 said in Otago 2025:
A few thoughts
- Surley if Will Tucker is locked in at the Canes he should be with Otago this season?
- What happened with Ale Aho? Highlanders high performance programme, fast tracked into NPC. Waratahs contract. Then suddenly midway through the super rugby season he's playing club rugby in Christchurch. Can anyone help me understand what went wrong? And where he's off too next?
- With Fabian Holland potentially in the All Blacks. How the hell did we not lock down Tengblad?
- How Aione Lolife gone in club rugby this year? He dosn't seem to factor into Highlanders plans with the rise of Kempton and probably has Mcewan, Coltman and Bell ahead of him at Otago. Can't head south either given the logjam of hookers there too.
- Is Josh Timu still playing? I haven't followed club rugby this season. Feel like he's been made of glass since 2020. Similarly has Tom Sanders retired?
- Is Waisake still floating around Dunedin? Know he got an NPC contract a year or two back and immediately got injured. Would he still be a chance to make this squad?
Timu is running around for Southern in the midfield, would expect him to be named in the squad again.
Tom Sanders has vanished.
Not a chance with Waisake. He only comes off the bench every now and then for Harbour. His knee is buggered.
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The biggest benefit of Waisake Naholo is being a constant at Harbour Rugby Club. Especially around guys who would remember him as the legend he was when he was at his best for the Highlanders.
What I have also been told is Marty Banks is proving to be a heck of a cosch at club level. A heck of a man motivator.
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@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:
The biggest benefit of Waisake Naholo is being a constant at Harbour Rugby Club. Especially around guys who would remember him as the legend he was when he was at his best for the Highlanders.
What I have also been told is Marty Banks is proving to be a heck of a cosch at club level. A heck of a man motivator.
Could definitely see a world where in five years B Smith is Landers coach, and Banks is the attack coach.
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Sam Nemec-Vial is currently injured but should be back before club season finishes (fingers crossed) Timu will be back
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anyone got the Mark Browns history?
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@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2025:
anyone got the Mark Browns history?
Not a household name but I found this was the best information I could find when he was first named. Should give you an idea.
Dunedin man. Played Otago B’s then took off overseas. Coached Canterbury age grade then co coached Canterbury with Rueben Thorne. Those are the key parts.
Bringing rugby talent to the top: Canterbury co-coach on job sharing
Mark Brown never quite made the step up to provincial rugby amid stiff competition for a start in Otago’s formidable loose forward trio in the...
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cheers
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Apparently he isn't based in Dunedin yet.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2025:
anyone got the Mark Browns history?
He didn't have a great record with Canterbury and got moved aside.
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@Chris said in Otago 2025:
@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2025:
anyone got the Mark Browns history?
He didn't have a great record with Canterbury and got moved aside.
Now now, I know Reuben Thorne is a protected species in Canterbury land but Mark can’t take all the blame
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@Landers92 said in Otago 2025:
@Chris said in Otago 2025:
@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2025:
anyone got the Mark Browns history?
He didn't have a great record with Canterbury and got moved aside.
Now now, I know Reuben Thorne is a protected species in Canterbury land but Mark can’t take all the blame
I wasn’t talking about Thorne he was shit as well.
Someone asked about Browns record and it was answered Brown was poor.
I have talked to people who were coached by Brown I was not given a great response . -
