Otago 2023
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i honestly have no idea, i didn't think the highlander squad looked bad pre season and look how that turned out...i just want to enjoy some rugby for a change
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As long as they play with a sensible backline and don't get too badly hit, Otago is going to have a very good forward pack and some strike weapons. Realistically, the Otago starting squad isn't that much worse than the Landers FROM this year:
- Wingham (EDG)
- Bell (Makalio)
- Ainsley
- Holland
- Dickson
- Sanders (Frizell)
- Withy (Harmon)
- Lio-Willie (Mikaele-Tu'u)
- Arscott (Smith)
- Millar (Burns)
- Nareki
- TUJ
- Te Hiwi (Timu)
- Naholo (Lowe)
- Gilbert
Loosehead Prop and blindside flanker is the only place significantly weaker... few slight drop-offs, but most of those guys are Super Rugby players. Should be a good season I'd think.
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@Kiwiwomble Yes, and halfback!
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Player development is my biggest hope.
Do we see progress from Millar, Hurley, Faleafaga, Whaanga, Wingham, the halfbacks and Stodart.
Do we have a better idea about where Gilbert's position is going forward.
If we can confidently say several of those young players have futures, then that is a huge tick in terms of the success of the season.
Results wise? Finish top five.
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Been an absolutely dreadful start... I wouldn't be worried about any of the individual players - I'd point the finger at Donnelly. These are good players, and he isn't going close to getting the best out of them - and hasn't consistently now into his third year.
We will turn it around to an extent I'm sure, but I suspect it'll be too late, as we bravely finish 9th like we do every year lol.
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@Kiwiwomble It's coaching though. I'll give the benefit of the doubt that the two 10s weren't available, but Sanders and Hastie not playing is a nonsense, the backline has bugger all balance to it.
TUJ and Te Hiwi are way too slow as a combo... then the combos we send them out there with effectively mean Nareki is the only one capable of breaking a game open.
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Let's look at this fairly. We lost to Ta$man by the same amount Auckland did. Wellington, despite my ribbing are one of the best teams in the comp. It will be interesting on Sunday and a good gauge as to our standing when we play against Hawke's Bay at the end of their storm week.
The selections of Sanders, Hastie and the two young 10s have baffled me a touch. Same with Hurley. While I think Gilbert is long-term a 12. For the balance of this side his best position in it is fullback.
Our pack has generally been pretty good. The scrum very good. Sanders needs to be in there. Probably on the blindside. Holland needs to be starting.
Seems there are a few easy fixes.
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@SouthernMann I think the midfield is a big one. Has to be Leslie, Gilbert or Faleafaga at 12. TUJ, Te Hiwi and Whaanga are too slow to play as a pairing.
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@Kiwiwomble No, but Dev. team has been. The good news is it looks like Sanders and Hastie will be involved. Harry Taylor has dropped out, so it is only a question out of who out of Fischli and Sanders starts at 6.
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Better picked team played better, and probably deserved to get over the line had it not been for injuries and some 50/50 calls going against us - that's life. The big thing is we probably need to win 6/7 from here to make the playoffs. That means win the four home games (which we should be beating SOU, NOR, CM & TAR if we want to make quarters) Gonna likely need two Ws out of BOP, Harbour and Waikato which looks difficult - particularly with these injuries.
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From a player development perspective, every cloud has a silver lining. If Gilbert and Millar are both out hopefully we get to have a decent look at Faleafaga. Asi was quite impressive off the bench, if Nareki is unavailable, Asi may get a couple of starts. Playing Southland should be another opportunity for Finn Hurley to build some more confidence. I'd like to see Hastie get more of an opportunity. There is just something about him, has a bit of spark.
The forward pack has been bloody good. Plenty of competition for spots as well.
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does hurley play 10? cant help but think 15 is just isolating him and making his size more of a problem
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@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2023:
and making his size more of
He did in high school. Has since transitioned to fullback.
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@Kiwiwomble I would... you can't fight size - probably stuck with him until the rest of the season, but he just hasn't shown anything in these first three games that makes me think there is something worth persisting with.
Someone suggested he should go the 7s route, and I think that would be a great option.
