Otago 2023
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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.
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I'm a big fan of Otago and Southland working together to get a decent distribution of talent across the provinces. Otago is prioritising Faleafaga, Millar and Hurley. That's great, Koroi can go to Southland and help it's chances.
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Article from the ODT on Millar's injury.
Not as bad as first thought.
I think they may be off the mark with Gilbert being the first choice no 10 if he is out.
Fears ease over ankle injury to Otago No 10
Super boot Cameron Millar has been spotted limping around in a moon boot but will be making giant strides again soon. The Otago first five...
Fears ease over ankle injury to Otago No 10
Super boot Cameron Millar has been spotted limping around in a moon boot but will be making giant strides again soon.
The Otago first five aggravated an ankle complaint in a club game two weeks ago.The Taieri pivot had to be assisted from the field and that sight gave spawn to some serious concern among the faithful.
The 20-year-old shapes as a key cog in the Otago NPC team.
With Josh Ioane not returning this season, Millar will get an extended run in the No 10 jersey.
It is a grand opportunity to establish himself in the role and push for expanded opportunities with Highlanders in what will be a rebuilding year for the club next year.
Millar started one game for the Highlanders against the Hurricanes and made three appearances off the bench this season.
His performances were surprisingly polished given how new he is to rugby at the elite level.
His future looks very promising, which is why the sight of him wearing a moon boot caused a few concerns.
But Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Kinley was able to ease concerns.
"It is an aggravation of his previous high ankle strain," Kinley said.
"But talking to the physio and the trainers, his plan will have him back, all things going well, for some limited minutes in the preseason game against Southland.
Kinley said injuries were inevitable, but he expressed his relief the injury was not worse.
That said, there is plenty of cover.
Highlanders utility back Sam Gilbert is probably the next cab off the rank.
Gilbert is best suited to fullback, but his towering punt and physical presence make him a decent option at first five.
Dunedin first five Ajay Faleafaga has been slotting in at second five for the New Zealand under-20 side.
But he is another solid option for Otago and will need playing opportunities at NPC level.
Green Island’s Finn Hurley has shone at club rugby in recent weeks and has the kind of X-factor you cannot coach.
He has been starting at fullback for the Grizzlies, but he played schoolboy rugby at first five and it will be interesting to see what he is capable of at NPC level.
The Otago squad is expected to be announced on Friday.
The preseason game against Southland is at Hancock Park on July 28.
The fixture is being staged during the Fifa Football World Cup exclusion period, which is why it is being played at the home of the Pirates rugby club and the Otago Softball Association.
Fifa has exclusive use of Forsyth Barr Stadium and the University Oval.
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Hurley was a gun first five at high school. Only really moved into fullback in the last couple of years. I think his pace is key at the back. Just needs to have a few pies.
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@SouthernMann ...that wouldn;t just turn him into a prop...isn;t he short too? not just skinny
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I'd like to see him standing beside other midgets such as Kolbe and McKenzie to see how small he actually is.
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@SouthernMann you're right, is that AJay on the left? if so he doesn;t look much taller
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AJ is quite small too, I understand. Around 1.75. So Hurley must be somewhere between 172 and 174?
Jack Taylor is reasonably small as well.
Hurley does look very muscular though.
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@SouthernMann He isn't going to grow any taller now.
The key for Hurley is whether he has/will put on some weight/mass with the S&C since leaving school. There are a number of shorter fullbacks playing in NZ but you still need to be able to cope with the increased physicality in the senior ranks.
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@Bovidae said in Otago 2023:
@SouthernMann He isn't going to grow any taller now.
The key for Hurley is whether he has/will put on some weight/mass with the S&C since leaving school. There are a number of shorter fullbacks playing in NZ but you still need to be able to cope with the increased physicality in the senior ranks.
Yeah he's fully grown now. If he could get himself into the early to mid 80s, it should be a decent playing weight for him
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I'm hoping the wee fella gets a decent run in the NPC to see whether he is up to getting smacked around. His upside in attack is pretty good.
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Back in 2020, for OB's both Finn and Cam played in the same side. Finn actually played first five and Cam played full back in the first few games but that combo didn't work, but they swapped and they started to dominate a lot more so they've got history as a 10,15 combo which may come in handy
