Otago 2023
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Photos from the Otago V Southland pre-season clash. One I find interesting is the two Whaanga boys standing side by side. Matt in the Southland jersey is 188cm tall. Josh looks a couple of inches taller. Which probably has him just a bit taller than Leicester Fainga'anuku. Big tall kid who will start on the wing. Then move in to centre while he fills out. Just hope he has the pace. https://www.facebook.com/100063863314076/posts/725822189556552/?sfnsn=mo&mibextid=6aamW6
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i was a but gutted, i was back in NZ last week visiting family in queenstown, when i saw they were doing a pre season game against southland i had a brief moment of hope it was going to be in queenstown
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anyone have the breakdown of who score din the game?
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Full replay available https://fb.watch/m71vxbguBA/?mibextid=RUbZ1f
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@SouthernMann yeah, did see that but havent had the time to sit down and watch it all
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So then, our season starts today, and what are we realistically hoping/aiming for?
I think missing the quarters if a failure, and should result in Donnelly being moved on all things considered. Even with Millar, Faleafaga and Timu out injured, we still run out a decent backline, and that is something that hasn't been true in past seasons.
I expect us to be walloped today, but I'd like to see us win sort of 4/5 at Foobar, and another couple to make it six wins and a comfortable QF spot.
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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.
