Otago 2023
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Agree with the forward pack, I'm just tossing up between where Gilbert sees himself v where he is needed to play for Otago. I also hope they start Hastie, Arscott makes me as excited as a Farmers catalogue. Hastie looks a better player. I don't want to see Tossing up between Te Hiwi and Naholo on the wing, leaning towards Naholo if we give the midget Hurley the first go at 15.
I'd be leaning towards
9 Hastie
10 Millar
11 Nareki
12 Gilbert
13 Umaga Jensen
14 Te Hiwi/Naholo
15 Hurley21 Arscott
22 Faleafaga
23 Naholo/Te Hiwi -
would definitely feel less concerned about hurley's size if he has people like Naholo, Gilbert and TUJ in front of him
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Like the new jersey
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That is gutting to hear. Haig is one of my favourite young players. Top talent. Dickson could be interesting at blindside. Wouldn't want to push an entire season on someone like Stodart.
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Yeah, Haig is out, Te Hiwi and Hurley were also out for GI a couple of weeks back and apparently Finn isn't too good either
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@NateHill74 said in Otago 2023:
Yeah, Haig is out, Te Hiwi and Hurley were also out for GI a couple of weeks back and apparently Finn isn't too good either
Wonder if it could mean a chance for the Southern midget Mckenzie Haugh could get an opportunity with Hurley out.
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@SouthernMann Mackenzie Haugh would be an Otago player already but he keeps saying he doesn't like rugby that much and he doesn't want to play top level for Otago
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@NateHill74 said in Otago 2023:
@SouthernMann Mackenzie Haugh would be an Otago player already but he keeps saying he doesn't like rugby that much and he doesn't want to play top level for Otago
He's in the development squad, so should signal he is reasonably keen?
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Staggered when I saw that. Makes the injury replacement for Oli Haig quite easy. Interesting to see TUG listed at 13, indicating a potential partnership with Gilbert in the midfield?
Hope Lopas gives it a good shake at loosehead.
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I was trying to work out who was missing, and got to Pole and Lio-Willie...
They obviously want to give certain guys more time in the saddle I'd think, though intrigued McClea starts at halfback, as feel like the other two could have done with a half each. Also think they could have just let Taylor play the club final, because he will hardly get a look in this season I'd have thought
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Having a rough guess, I think this is the team which will play the second half:
- Wingham
- Bell
- Ma'u
- Tucker
- Hill
- Sanders
- Withy
- Stodart
- Arscott
- Millar
- Nareki
- Gilbert
- Te Hiwi
- Pepe
- Faleafaga (A little bizarre they wouldn't give him the start at 10, which to me suggests they plan on using him at 15/in midfield/in combo with Millar)
Leftover: Whaanga and Hastie... one of these two may start on the right wing.
And for Round One:
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Wingham
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Bell
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Ainsley
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Holland
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Dickson
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Sanders
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Withy
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Lio-Willie (Fischli)
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Arscott
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Millar
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Nareki
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Gilbert
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Umaga-Jensen
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Naholo
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Faleafaga
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Jackson
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Lopas
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Ma'u
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Tucker
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Fischli (Stodart)
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Hastie
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Te Hiwi
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Hurley
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I'd make a couple of changes. Just based on gut feel. I reckon Hurley to the back, depending on how he goes tomorrow. Faleafaga into the 22 jersey. This is based more on hope than any reasoning, but I want to see Hastie as the no1 halfback. Loosehead prop I reckon could be anyone.
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Going for a massive bolter for round 1.
Josh Whaanga to start on the right wing.
Should have seven debutants next Friday, Lopas, Wingham, Sanders, Hastie, Faleafaga, Hurley and Whaanga.
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@frugby said in Otago 2023:
And for Round One:
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Wingham
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Bell
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Ainsley
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Holland
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Dickson
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Sanders
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Withy
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Lio-Willie (Fischli)
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Arscott
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Millar
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Nareki
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Gilbert
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Umaga-Jensen
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Naholo
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Faleafaga
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Jackson
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Lopas
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Ma'u
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Tucker
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Fischli (Stodart)
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Hastie
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Te Hiwi
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Hurley
I think I'd be fairly happy to stick with this, though Gilbert and Faleafaga might be the other way around. I actually thought Ajay had quite a poor game, but to me, it seemed plan A was those two plus Millar. Nareki will take left wing, Arscott halfback, and TUJ centre. It is just who they go with on the right wing... hard to judge Naholo because he played in the shite team, but perhaps that was intentional, as they've been impressed by Whaanga prior to that game? If that was the case, he will start round one, but I'm expecting it will be Naholo, with Te Hiwi and Hurley on the bench. Don't forget, it was largely a Southland B side on in the second half.
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Hurley looked to have played about 50+ minutes at the back. It appeared as if Hastie had a brief stint at the back just to get him on. If AJ or Gilbert were going to be the fullbacks they would have spent some time there yesterday. I can't find any records of AJ playing at fullback in his senior career. While Gilbert hasn't played there since 3/4s through Super Rugby. If TUJ isn't available the Te Hiwi takes his spot. What we have at the moment is an exciting time with several players on upwards trajectories. Whick should hopefully help us finish ahead of those schmucks Wellington.
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@SouthernMann you lot have no chance of beating Wellington, not on our level.
It’s weird you have this much hate towards a province. Something makes me think you’re jealous.
Enjoy battling it out at the lower end of the table yah battler.
I apologise to all other Otago fans for the brag but up the Lions.
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Nah not jealous. Just over Wellington fans who think their side is amazing. Also you lot are very easy to wind up. Our best player isn't from Wellington either. Awfully presumptive of you to declare we are 'not at your level.' season hasn't even started. We have played one pre-season game.
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Our top five players are probably Lio Willie, Nareki, Gilbert, Ainsley and Holland. With Withy, Dickson not far behind. Excuse my ignorance, but which one of that group are from Wellington?
