Otago 2023
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@SouthernMann said in Otago 2023:
Last year while we had some injuries. We ran out a backline in round one of;
Hauiti-Parapara
Josh Ioane
Nareki
Umaga-Jensen
Timu
Koroi
Gilbert.We lost. It was a good looking backline. On paper. We can roll out good looking sides and lose. Or we can experiment and lose. 10 games, get through some players, and have an idea who is worth persevering with. That is a win. If we roll through with the same players, have the same season, that's a loss.
thats fair....you're right, i remember being very happy with that team
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@SouthernMann said in Otago 2023:
I think the key thing with this team is to play players where they will be playing long-term. Too many times over the years Otago has just worked on playing the best group and lacking potential finishers or the right players in the right roles.
Try half four or five wingers over the competition.
Cam Millar play him both at 10 and 15.
Give Faleafaga runs at both 10 and 12.
See whether the midget Hurley can handle this level.
Look to see early whether someone like Josh Whaanga has the pace to play at this level.
How much do we invest in Lio-Willie game time wise. Knowing this is likely his last year with Otago. Is he a 50 minute starter. Does he provide impact off the bench.
Harry Taylor and Aaron Withy get lots of comments as loosies.
Does McKenzie haugh follow John leslie up to Northland.
Do Oli Foote and Caleb Leef have a run in the backs.There is a trial between club players next week. It will be interesting to see who goes well in that. Will Henry said on Paul Dwyer's video that there is a country halfback who might be worth a go.
This should be viewed as a sampling process.
Think that is a little negative... with the nature of the NPC, I think within reason you should be aiming to win every year. I mean with injuries, and the potential that some of our good young players make the All Blacks even next year... or if not certainly the year after.
Lio-Willie should definitely be used to full effect, because he is a great player, and what is to say he won't re-sign? We assume he won't, but I can see a world where because of keeping up with his dentistry, he decides to sign a one year extension. Wouldn't be unreasonable that he does that, keeping his options open for 2025 onwards, where if he hasn't cracked the All Blacks he may head offshore.
Taylor and A Withy are a bit average I think, and in fairness we have six good loosies anyway which is all you really need anyway.
As for the backs, I think most of the club guys are probably quite average, so it will be a case of waiting and seeing. I think Josh Whaanga is a year away, though you never know - could be forced due to injuries. Haugh, Foote, Leef aren't good enough, and realistically, if they can secure Bogado, then it will be Asi or Pepe. Midfield a bigger concern, I see Faleafaga playing 12 a lot because they will want to get him on the field.
I think it is reasonable to suggest coaching may hamper Otago.
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Anyway, Squad aside because the NPC is random AF, this is our draw:
R1: Ta$man (A) - Friday 5:35pm
R2: Wellington (H) - Saturday 4:35pm
R3: Hawke's Bay (A) - Sunday 2:05pm
R4: Southland (H) - Saturday 7:05pm
STORM WEEK START
R5: Bay of Plenty (A) - Saturday 2:05pm
R6: North Harbour (A) - Wednesday 7:05pm
R6: Northland (H) - Sunday 4:35pm
STORM WEEK END
R7: Taranaki (H) - Saturday 7:05pm
R8: Waikato (A) - Sunday 4:35pm
R9: Counties Manukau (H) Sunday 2:05pmLooks a pretty tough draw on paper, I would be willing to guess that five wins with a good PD + BPs would be enough to sneak into the playoffs. Think we have to bank wins against Southland, Northland, Taranaki and Counties. I worry we will be 0-3, and then with BOP and North Harbour at the start of the storm week, we could be 1-5 before we have barely blinked, especially with those potential midfield injuries.
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In the Lio-Willie article from last year, there is a telling quote which pretty much guarantees he will leave Otago at the end of this season.
"Lio-Willie is signed with Otago for another season [2023] and plans to "stick around" for it.
I don't think his dentistry keeps him in Dunedin. He is qualified. He can get opportunities wherever he wants. I'd say he'd likely go back home to Auckland or Counties.
Lio-Willie hoping to build on form tonight
It has been quite a year for Christian Lio-Willie. The powerful Otago No 8 celebrated a milestone yesterday — happy birthday. He was planning a low...
NPC these days is nothing more than a three month semi-professional trial to get a better understanding of players as they push for more opportunities.
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I also suspect the other prop in the squad will be Ben Lopas who is currently playing for Green Island. Former NZ Schools player out of Chch
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Decent young prop was in the crusaders academy the last couple of seasons good size for a prop.
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@SouthernMann said in Otago 2023:
In the Lio-Willie article from last year, there is a telling quote which pretty much guarantees he will leave Otago at the end of this season.
"Lio-Willie is signed with Otago for another season [2023] and plans to "stick around" for it.
I don't think his dentistry keeps him in Dunedin. He is qualified. He can get opportunities wherever he wants. I'd say he'd likely go back home to Auckland or Counties.
Lio-Willie hoping to build on form tonight
It has been quite a year for Christian Lio-Willie. The powerful Otago No 8 celebrated a milestone yesterday — happy birthday. He was planning a low...
NPC these days is nothing more than a three month semi-professional trial to get a better understanding of players as they push for more opportunities.
Fore sure it is likely he leaves, I'm suggesting he will stay, I'm merely saying all options are open, and it also isn't particularly important whether he is or is not.
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I think I saw on Paul Dwyer's ODT show that Wingham has signed on for three years
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@SouthernMann Not really surprising... by all the sounds the trial midweek was a waste of time with a million players given a trot around.
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@friedrugby we knew it would be didn;t we? arent there only 6-7 spots available? always thought it was mostly just a hype tool
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I think the game was an end to the means. Where the real tool was being able to have the 50 of the best under the coaching group for a month leading up to it. We know about 10 to 12 guys outside the contracted will probably need to play during the season. The month of being on top of these guys means they will know who isn't up to it, and who may give it a good shake.
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@SouthernMann said in Otago 2023:
I think the game was an end to the means. Where the real tool was being able to have the 50 of the best under the coaching group for a month leading up to it. We know about 10 to 12 guys outside the contracted will probably need to play during the season. The month of being on top of these guys means they will know who isn't up to it, and who may give it a good shake.
This approach is quite common in most unions. The talent spotters promote some possibles and the coaching staff get to see if they are worth pursuing. Simple stuff like turning up prepared, attitude, ability to listen and apply. All the base stuff.
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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 U20HOOKERS: (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 U20LOCKS: (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 U20LOOSE 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) -
@NateHill74 said in Otago 2023:
A-One Lolofie - former Hastings Boys'
Max Ratcliffe - former Napier Boys'
Bradley Campbell - former St John's College (Hastings)
Mefiposeti Tupou - former Hastings Boys' & Hawke's Bay AcademyAt least 4 Hawke's Bay players (I may have missed one or two players, whose names I don't recognise). I hope they make the Otago squad, but then return home one day like Gareth Evans and Connor McLeod.
For a Hawke's Bay supporter, it's so frustrating how things are not equal in the NPC; if a province doesn't have a Uni or a SR franchise base, it loses players to provinces that do. And no, it's not just Otago. They just lure more of our players than others.
I wonder if they'd stayed in the Bay if the Hurricanes had shown enough interest ...
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@friedrugby said in Otago 2023:
Fore sure it is likely he leaves, I'm suggesting he will stay, I'm merely saying all options are open, and it also isn't particularly important whether he is or is not.
Isn't there an 8 position opening up at the Chiefs?
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@NateHill74 Is Ned Pene still playing in Otago club rugby?
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@NateHill74 that is a really interesting wrap. Especially not seeing any decent club rugby. A few guys I'm interested in. Do you think Oscar Schmidt-Uili has the ability to step up past club footy, he has looked dominant for years. I have been told in the past he has prioritised his study. What is the oil on Pepe and Asi are they worth a nudge? Does Josh Whaanga have the pace to play up or is he similar to his brother in the speed department? Is Semisi Tupou-Ta’eiloa a bit of a flat track bully who has been found out now he is playing against blokes his size? Who out of Lawrence Leung-Wai, Ale Aho and Reuben Palmer looks to have the highest ceiling? Does Ben Lopas look as good as the feedback has been on ODT rugby chat? Also do you think the shit conditions and weather in Dunedin hampers the ability to backs to come through?
