Otago 2023
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@SouthernMann Oscar would be a on the verge. He does look promising but will be interesting if he did get picked. Freedom esk sort of from my view. Pepe and Asi will be able to step up I reckon, they'd just need the experience at the higher level and then they'll be good. Josh Whaanga I reckon is still a year away, didn't dominate in the trial like he has at club. Semisi has been dominant in club this year so could be worth a shout. Ale seems the best pick currently, then Lawrence and Reuben, those two can be back and forth. Ben Lopas is actually pretty good, good carrier, strong tackler and with a little more work, can go from a strong scrummager to a great powerful scrummager. Under the roof, it will be easier for backs to carry well, and away from home, if they come across bad weather, they'll be used to it and adapt to it well
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Also Kemara isn't an option this year as he has been picked for Wellington in their shield squad
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@NateHill74 said in Otago 2023:
@Bovidae Yes he is. Playing for Southern at the moment
Is he close to making the Otago squad?
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Thanks @NateHill74 Stodart seems to be rated higher than Semisi? Has more than just a power game? Is Stodart more likely an eight than a six?
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@SouthernMann Yeah. Will is more likely to be picked imo. He's more of a 6 but can play 8 which he does at prems. Would be too small for 8 in npc i think
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@NateHill74 So suggest a loose forward mix of
6 Haig, Stodart, Lentjes, Lio-Willie, Withy, Fischli
7 Withy Lentjes
8 Lio-Willie, Tupou-Ta'eiloa, FischliAnd with 10, if Millar is out for a long-term, do you think the Harbour 10 (Samate) could be a decent option, or will they look at a Caleb Leef, who might play both 10 and 15?
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@friedrugby yeah probably, i just hope we're not hindering his development moving him around so much the the solution to every backline problem
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I'm hugely opposed to that. If his future is a 12/15 play him there. Trust the guys to play their positions. Not pick the seven best backs and fit them in.
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@SouthernMann i agree...i hope we can lure a 10 down south to support Ajay
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I think they just need to trust their guy.
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anyone have confirmation on how bad Millar was?
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@Kiwiwomble Looked bad... I was there. Best case is probably he has redone the same injury and only misses the first few weeks. As for the Gilbert argument, what if his best position is actually 10? I don't want to have that specific, but I will say, at NPC level, most top players are way better than their worst. No point hampering the rest of the backs with a club level 10. I'm assuming Faleafaga, as the best 10 in club rugby will get the run, but I'm more saying, that Gilbert would be the next option after that.
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Key points from the article. No Josh Ioane. No Ray Nu'u. Likely to be Christian Lio-Willie's last year. Kieran McLea is probably the third halfback. Semisi Tupou-Ta’eiloa might be heading to Southland on loan. No one to come in from outside Otago.
Five or six new faces likely to be named in Otago squad
There could be up to a half a dozen surprises when the Otago NPC squad is named late next week. Well, surprises might be slightly overstating it....
Five or six new faces likely to be named in Otago squad
There could be up to a half a dozen surprises when the Otago NPC squad is named late next week.
Well, surprises might be slightly overstating it. But there will be some new faces.Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Kinley said there had been strong retention of players from last year which meant there were not a lot of open slots.
"There could be up to another five or six contracts still to be offered," he confirmed.
"There will also be another 10-11-12 players who will not be fully contracted, but will be brought into the squad to cover injuries and some of those players will get game time in the NPC this year."
The Otago players based in the United States are expected back, so the likes of hooker Henry Bell and halfback Kieran McClea will return for the NPC.
Crusaders No 8 Christian Lio-Willie’s playing contract has a year to run. He is a powerful ball-carrier and Otago will be hoping to get the best out of him.
Highlanders lock Josh Dickson is destined for Japan, but it is understood he will turn out for Otago before he departs the country.
First five Josh Ioane is not returning for personal reasons.
The one-game All Black struggled for form last season and was overtaken by Cameron Millar.
Midfielder Ray Nu’u is not returning, which could open up a spot for the likes of Josh Whaanga. The Taieri centre has impressed in his rookie premier grade season.
Otago wants to see robust Kaikorai loosie Semisi Tupou-Ta’eiloa in action during at NPC level and has been working with Southland "on where Semisi might be best placed to get some game time this year".
"That is a work in progress at the moment."
The youngster looks a keeper, so Otago will want to get the wording right on any loan agreement, if that is what is happening.
Last year, Wellington halfback Kemara Hauiti-Parapara and Waikato loose forward Rupeni Tamani were brought in to boost the squad.
However, Kinley said Otago was unlikely to go outside of the province to fill any perceived vacancies this season.
"I can say, at the moment, that we are not looking at anyone from outside the region. We’ve got some good depth coming through the community rugby programme, and also the trial game last week showed there is some good depth there.
"I think we’ll have a very competitive side, with the new talent coming through and the retention of some experienced players."
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jeez...that feel like more thought has gone into the future than we've seen in a long time!
anyone know how the injury cover players work...like do they just get a match fee? they sign effectively a "casual" contract and just get paid the "hours" they work/play/train?
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@SouthernMann said in Otago 2023:
First five Josh Ioane is not returning for personal reasons.
I'm intrigued where Ioane ends up. If he plays NPC it could be for a province closer to home (Auckland), or is he off? NH might be an option given Gatland's injury.
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with millar out we really could have used him too
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I'm not too phased about losing Ioane. At his best he is fantastic. Generally doesn't hit that bar very often though. I have a feeling Otago would have gone with a position of we won't fight for you, and if you want to head elsewhere, go for it.
Millar's injury makes things tough. But, from a player development position. We have an idea what he can do. This will give us an opportunity to see what Faleafaga can produce. I'd expect he will be backed up by Hurley, Gilbert and may be Obey Samate.
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@SouthernMann I wouldn't necessarily take the ODT as gospel. I think it is possible in the wake of an injury we would try and sign a first five from elsewhere for the sake of cover. It will partially depend on whether they planned on using Faleafaga in midfield.
