Otago 2023
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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?
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@SouthernMann you’re literally the most immature person on the Fern. Mentioning Wellington in almost every post just because you’re jelous that we had success last year. I’d love for you to point out those supporters who weren’t humble when winning last year…
TUJ is easily a top 5 player looking at your roster, you do realise he’s from Wellington aye?
Hey, if Otago end up competing for the title this year, good on them. Personally I think they’ll battle and I’m sure I will be proven right in due course.
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I'm very well aware of where TUJ is from. It is about 10 minutes drive from where I'm sitting in my lounge. He is not in the top five players in the squad though. Four other players toured with the NZ XV. Couldn't care about your success. My distain for Wellington goes back to the Hurricanes and their 'rock star' backline in the late 90s and early 00s. Growing up, seeing a team constantly being talked up. While generally failing miserably. Well buddy, good luck with your Wellington side, on a different level. I'll just enjoy watching my shithouse side. I'll slow down on the Wellington baiting. I can see there are some sensitivities.
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@SouthernMann jeez someone holds a grudge. If you’re not a fan of Wellington why the fuck do you care so much? Us Wellington fans are the ones that have been heartbroken time and time again. Boohoo if we decide to celebrate after finally getting over the line.
You’re just highlighting your maturity. It’s all good to fire banter back and forwards in good fun but the fact you just straight out disrespect Wellington in most of your posts and don’t expect a response is pretty laughable. I wouldn’t call it being sensitive, I just think it’s so cringe that you go out of your way to wind people up the way you do.
And yes, on form it’s pretty obvious that TUJ is one of your most potent players alongside Nareki.
