Otago 2024
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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
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@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2024:
@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
Unappealing for anyone who doesn't have additional income streams, or history in the professional game with years of decent income behind them. It certainly isn't a fulltime job. Part-time for a couple of months in the lead up to the season, and then full-time for four months.
It is another pointer that the NPC in its current format isn't viable. Paying $100,000 for a part-time coach. In just that role alone. As for needing the NPC and Super to be merged. Certainly not with 14 NPC teams. Some unions need to lose out. -
@SouthernMann $95K isnt a bad wicket...especially for living in dunedin...i think the thing for me is its not setting you up tor retire early so you either need another career lined up or you need to do it through to retirement
Donnelly is a surveyor...could get him hammering in boundary pegs if he needs a gig
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@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2024:
@SouthernMann $95K isnt a bad wicket...especially for living in dunedin...i think the thing for me is its not setting you up tor retire early so you either need another career lined up or you need to do it through to retirement
Donnelly is a surveyor...could get him hammering in boundary pegs if he needs a gig
A surveyor by the piece of paper he earnt as a young fella. I highly doubt he has ever put on the steel capped boots and trapsed the hills in a paid capacity, in the 20 years since he has graduated. 90k plus 100k as a Highlanders assistant coach. Great income. Worth it. But being publicly berated and slammed due to your selections and tactics for a job under 100k. Stuff that. We are certainly in agreeance it isn't a decent liveable wage raising a family or getting ahead. It is the sort of money that will keep you above board as long as you have other income streams or roles in the months around the grind.
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come on....i was obviously taking the micky about him starting again as a surveyor
we might have different ideas of a liveable income though....i think most families get by on that or less...my only concern is how long you can keep doing it and what you do afterwards, his partner might also work which changes things too
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Yesh, yeah got me again. Dumb bastard I am sometimes. Certsinly different view on liveable income. While a lot of my friends are still in Dunedin, I think that is about what decebtly qualified people down there make. I have Wellington lens' on these days. Money wise. Publicly facing jobs also bring in a lot of criticism, that also needs to be tied in as a consideration. I certainty wouldn't take a job with that level of scrutiny for that level of pay.
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i was on that when i first moved to Melbourne a few years ago....and i imagine dunedin us still a lot cheaper to live in the melbourne
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Massive missed opportunity last night. Thought the shape of our attack looked fairly poor... with how good our forwards went with ball in hand, we really shat the bed. This year has been better, but bugger me look at the squad.
I'm not having any excuses. If we can win 3/4 we might sneak into 8th, but it will be tight.
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@frugby said in Otago 2024:
Massive missed opportunity last night. Thought the shape of our attack looked fairly poor... with how good our forwards went with ball in hand, we really shat the bed. This year has been better, but bugger me look at the squad.
I'm not having any excuses. If we can win 3/4 we might sneak into 8th, but it will be tight.
I've got a feeling three or four teams will be still gunning for final playoff positions come the last round.
I don't think Otago were that bad, I just think a lot of Wellington players that have been waiting for an opportunity really stood up and it shows the quality of depth the province has been building the last couple years. If Otago can keep all their players fit i.e. Nareki I think they'll sneak in over the likes of Auckland from what I've seen.
Haig looks like a very good prospect and a raw boned 6 that we need at the highest level. I wouldn't be surprised by the next WC if we had a loose forward trio of 6. Haig, 7. Lakai and 8. Sititi. The balance of that trio is perfect in my view.
