Otago 2024
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I believe this will be TD's last year...
Also, we might have a really good pack, but I think we could be quickly exposed for depth in the backline. We only have two outside backs, and all of our midfielders are rather slow.
Timu, Te Hiwi, Gilbert etc. may all be Super Rugby players, but they are also players we want the Highlanders to move on.
I have zero faith in the coaching staff, and sure, TD isn't solely to blame if things go wrong, but he is absolutely the common denominator. Last year, with a pretty similar squad, we were atrocious.
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I'm not defending Donnelley. Although, if you look at the team last year, it was sometimes running a backline mostly made up of players who were still young enough to play colts rugby. While 'a pretty similar squad' is returning. A year of professional rugby should be quite advantageous for some of the lads. He has overseen a change in squad make up, really turning it to a more youth focus. The squad development from 2019 to 24 is worth having a look at.
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Let alone the fans, they’re failing their players. The coach writing them off before a ball has even been kicked… coaching 101 is pump your team up in the media.
Don’t need to say we are going to win the title, but at least talk about how the likes of Bell, Holland and Haig enjoyed good Super seasons, so we’re hoping to kick on for a Top 8 finish.
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I hope Holland and Haig were watching that ABs match and realising how good of an opportunity they have in the next 12-18months
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We host Auckland on Friday. It does not get any easier. Lose here and I’ll be worried the young heads will begin to drop, hopefully we can put on a better display that we did on Saturday to at least keep it close.
Really need all injured players available this coming weekend or it’s already going to be a tough ask. Stuff have put out an article saying it could be a long season for Otago, unfortunately I would have to agree.
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@Landers92 all you can hope to see if a better attitude and a better game plan. Don’t mind if they get beaten by a clearly better team, what I will mind if it’s the same old stupid shit with a defeatist attitude.
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Can't quite believe that two weeks later we are 2-1, but couldn't really be happier! Haig and Umaga-Jensen have just totally improved everyone around them, can't quite believe the impact they have made.
Bodes well for the rest of the NPC season and for the Landers.
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@frugby said in Otago 2024:
Can't quite believe that two weeks later we are 2-1, but couldn't really be happier! Haig and Umaga-Jensen have just totally improved everyone around them, can't quite believe the impact they have made.
Bodes well for the rest of the NPC season and for the Landers.
Umaga Jensen brings calm and balance to the backline which the Highlanders missed as well. All of a sudden Gilbert isn’t used as the battering ram and is playing with confidence, has a bit more time on the ball and can start ball playing and playing what’s in front of him again. It’s no coincidence he is playing a lot better with TUG outside him.
Here’s hoping the chemistry with Millar through to Hurley continues to build as well, all of a sudden the backline is slowly becoming a strength.
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Yesterday's game was the best I have seen from Millar. The dummy kick, flat pass to Hurley was the best attacking play I've seen him make. Josh Whaanga is showing the value of his height. He has thrown a couple of brillant off loads. Have been hugely impressed with Hurley over the first three games. Every week he has shown big improvements. His D has been one of the highlights. Really enjoys taking down big blokes
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Sam Gilbert in a moon boot today at training
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@NateHill74 said in Otago 2024:
Sam Gilbert in a moon boot today at training
So Lio-Willie into the team at 8. Stodart into lock. What do we reckon with the backs? Leslie or Faleafaga at 12. Or Umaga-Jensen into 12, Whaanga into 13 and Rangitutia onto the wing?
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Anyone have any word around the Holland and Hurley injuries? Convinced we aren’t allowed nice things as Otago fans. Get Tucker back and Holland is injured. If Hurley is out, I’m expecting Gilbert will slot back in at 15 if he’s cleared from his head knock against BOP. Faleafaga needs to be on the bench moving forward, a bit puzzling that he has been left out recently.
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Bye Felicia.
Otago coach heading across the ditch
Otago coach Tom Donnelly is heading to Australia. Donnelly will join the Force as the Super Rugby club’s forwards coach after two seasons in that...
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Just a note (which will be shared wider than this thread at some point by my fellow mods).
I've deleted a post above that had copied the last six paragraphs of a 20-paragraph story that was behind the ODT paywall.
It's the view of the mods that sharing one genuine paragraph of a paywalled story may be acceptable, if you link to it (to generate potential traffic for the news outlet), but if you wish to share more, just summarize it in your own words. Do not take the piss either by squeezing 3-4 paragraphs together to make it look like one.
As a rule, any news article posted on a Fern should have a link back to the original source.
While I may be an ex-journo and have a particular love for the ODT, this is relevant for the whole forum and all news content.
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The Otago head coaching role is advertised on Seek. There is a tool out there that allows users to view the rough salary. It came in at between 65 and 95k. These provincial roles need to be paired with other roles to be financially viable for the candidates. Also the level of criticism and public scrutiny for that level of salary is oretty average. Just shows what is available for provincial unions to recruit. Unless coaches have side hussles or have roles with the franchise partners, the roles alone are very unappealing
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@SouthernMann unappealing if you feel thats your limit but its the get a gig at a higher level
it is stuff like this that makes me more and mroe convinced we need to merge NPC and super somehow,all this stuff is doubled up, yes the NPC coach has to scout and do some sort of preseason....but it isn't 48 weeks a year full time...it cant be...but you have to pay them as if it is because its hard to get another job on top of that....longer season.....proper full time role
