Otago 2023
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And with all of our injuries, you'd have Koroi in a heartbeat. At the moment, our only fit backs which are already signed might be: Hastie, Arscott, Faleafaga, Umaga-Jensen, Gilbert, Nareki and Hurley.
Millar and Timu could be gone for the season, and who knows what is happening with Te Hiwi. A bit concerning...
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@frugby said in Otago 2023:
@Kiwiwomble Freedom as a 10 lol. Could you imagine?! Realise he is gone burger, just more pointing out the fact the article name drops Ioane, but not Koroi or Freedom. Particularly weird as Koroi has played over 50 games for the side.
i assume its just a case of its very clear freedom has gone but ioane was more of a ? until now
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@Kiwiwomble That's true, but no mention of Koroi is bizarre.
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just looked and he's not active on insta or anything...
edit...the only rugby team he follows except NZ/Otago/Highlanders....the Sharks.....
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Jake Te Hiwi has been in trainings with GI so he's getting closer to returning. Maybe misses the first week or 2 of npc. Vili was injured as per the Highlanders lineup announcements each week. He had a knee injury so who knows how far away he'll be. In terms of five eighths, Ajay and Sam will be used as 10s and Obey and maybe Jacob Waikari-Jones or Caleb Leef will be that injury cover 10 they're talking about. Finn probably won't be used at 10. I think they reckon he's better at 15. IMO he's a better full back than first five as he has more time to do things there and can play a second play maker like what Hunt did for the landers or beaudie does with the abs.
BACKLINE:
9 James Arscott
10 Sam Gilbert
11 Jona Nareki
12 Ajay Faleafaga/Thomas Umaga-Jensen
13 Thomas Umaga-Jensen/Jake Te Hiwi
14 ??
15 Finn Hurley21 Nathan Hastie
22 Ajay Faleafaga. If Jake is fit
23 ??It does look shaky.
FORWARDS:
1 Abraham Pole
2 Ricky Jackson
3 Jermaine Ainsley
4 Fabian Holland
5 Josh Dickson
6 James Lentjes
7 Sean Withy
8 Christian Lio-Willie16 Henry Bell
17 Tau Koloamatangi (if Tonga, then ??)
18 Saula Ma'u/Rohan Wingham
19 Josh Hill/Will Tucker
20 Oliver Haig/Sam FischliMuch better depth in the forwards
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Shit club rugby defence, but the first try makes me feel excited about big Oscar should he get a chance. While the second one is a decent showing from the midget Hurley https://fb.watch/ljHZ_v6PfP/?mibextid=NnVzG8
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@NateHill74 What about Waisake Naholo for the 14 jersey? Problem is hes so injury prone though
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Have him around the team in a mentoring role. Massive on the big fella and I'm sure he can add some value supporting the younger lads.
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Naholo has said he'd be available but I don't rate his chances of playing. Maybe a late injury cover later in the season I'm feeling. Just getting that sort of vibe for him
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Naholo should be carving up at club level so has to be a concern if he's not even starting
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Looking at his socials, he looks to be an apprentice builder, with his family and is just enjoying life. Rugby is something to have fun with on weekends.
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@SouthernMann said in Otago 2023:
Looking at his socials, he looks to be an apprentice builder, with his family and is just enjoying life. Rugby is something to have fun with on weekends.
and thats fair enough...but i see guys no where near his level doing the same but coming back to club when needed....and dominating, class really does shine through at this level
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@frugby That's wingers for you. Without trying to sound too harsh, if wingers end up back in NZ due to not being able to secure an overseas gig, it's usually not a good thing. Julian Savea and Naholo are prime examples of that.
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On the plus side. How good is it for the Harbour Hawks having a guy who was an All Black just a few years ago being in their environment. Having young kids who remember the Naholo they idolised around the club. What he is giving back as a club man is 10x more than what he could give back if he was just a squad member. I think what he is doing from a sheer presence perspective is fantastic.
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i think it says loads that he obviously sees dunners as home now, he's not just back as an easier way back inot professionl rugby
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Today in club, Vili started at 10 for AU and played a pretty good game so that's promising. And the fact he is down in Dunedin, reckoning he may be staying in Otago. Fingers crossed
Also at lock, Reuben Palmer at lock had a strong game for Dunedin if we need any lock depth.
In the midfield for Harbour, Aleki Morris-Lome has been consistently good from what I've heard and seen so if we need midfielders that's an option too.
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@NateHill74 I heard Koroi may be going to Southland, so we will see.
