Otago 2024
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@frugby definately, my old school brain was "why move from big time Otago to little borth Southland"...and then i reminded myself we havent been big time for a long time
but we should be able to lock leaders down
Unless this is some sort of behind the scenes plan to get southland AND Otago up and therefor the Highlanders....but i doubt it
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@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2024:
@frugby definately, my old school brain was "why move from big time Otago to little borth Southland"...and then i reminded myself we havent been big time for a long time
but we should be able to lock leader down
Unless this is some sort of behind the scenes plan to get southland AND Otago up and therefor the Highlanders....but i doubt it
I promise you it isn't. All to do with ineptitude at the top... lack of ambition.
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I can fully understand her reasoning. I expect Lio-Willie to go as well. Not to Southland of course. The disappointing aspext is that we couldn't afford to lose him as an openside or leader. No other openside options. I just hope we don't losr our other promising Southland boys. Especially Stodart
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@frugby said in Otago 2024:
The point is a competent, ambitious set-up rarely loses players, particularly ones like Withy who aren't moving due to a GF etc.
I disagree. We often see players leave provinces to go 'home'. Have seen it with the likes of Dalton Papalii, Kieran Read, Jordan Taufua, Gareth Evans, Tom Franklin, Tyrone Thompson. The list can go on. This hurts as he is our captain. Comes across as a really good bloke and is the sort that you'd want to build a team around. It will be a good opportunity to see Max Ratcliffe at the NPC level. For Withy I'd be more concerned if he buggered off to Northland or Bay of Plenty. He has also signed a three year deal which likely signals a long-term future with the Highlanders.
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@SouthernMann said in Otago 2024:
@frugby said in Otago 2024:
The point is a competent, ambitious set-up rarely loses players, particularly ones like Withy who aren't moving due to a GF etc.
I disagree. We often see players leave provinces to go 'home'. Have seen it with the likes of Dalton Papalii, Kieran Read, Jordan Taufua, Gareth Evans, Tom Franklin, Tyrone Thompson. The list can go on. This hurts as he is our captain. Comes across as a really good bloke and is the sort that you'd want to build a team around. It will be a good opportunity to see Max Ratcliffe at the NPC level. For Withy I'd be more concerned if he buggered off to Northland or Bay of Plenty. He has also signed a three year deal which likely signals a long-term future with the Highlanders.
If Otago was properly run, won games and actually tried to keep players by paying fair value, we wouldn't lose our captain to Southland. Doesn't matter where he is from.
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Ideas (inside word)?
edit: Coltman! i thought that was a mullet but now think its a beard
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We are stacked with hookers. I reckon it is Josh Dickson.
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It definitely looks like Liam Coltmans body shake and beard. They were trying to get him back last season(Highlanders season I think, unsure about otago) but he couldn’t get out of his French contract.
I also see Sio Tompkinson has been released by the Dragons in Wales. I was always a big fan of him and wouldn’t be mad if he could someone be convinced to return for both Otago and the Highlanders.
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i was a bit fan of sio, former old boy etc....but he a huge card magnet! and his try scoring record, IMO, flatters too deceive, he scored a lot of tries purely of crash ball from first receiver from 5m out...ie almost anyone could do it
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Both Coltman and Tomkinson are in positions where Otsgo seem well covered, with both set players and up and coming guys. Hooking we have Bell, Jackson and A-one Lolofie (NZ U20). We should be prioritising these guys. In the midfield we have te Hiwi, Gilbert, Josh Whaanga and Timu. Lock is where we are lacking a bit of depth. We have Holland, Tucker and not much else. The likes of Reuben Palmer, Ale Aho and Mitchell Tinnock are getting some good wraps, but are quite young still. Dickson had a shithouse year in 2023 with the passing of his brother Sam and he might be ready to come back.
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....so we're almost certain to resign Coltman, Tomkinson and Dickson then.....
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I hope not. I'd only want Dickson. There was also chat around the Highlanders needing two locks for next year. He'd be a good man to sit on the bench behind Dunshea and Holland.
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Confirmation that Coltman will play for Otago in the NPC this year:
Coltman back to play for Otago
Hipsters rejoice. The Beard is back. Liam Coltman and that trademark facial accoutrement will return to Dunedin and play for Otago in the NPC this...
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@Duluth said in Otago 2024:
Confirmation that Coltman will play for Otago in the NPC this year:
Coltman back to play for Otago
Hipsters rejoice. The Beard is back. Liam Coltman and that trademark facial accoutrement will return to Dunedin and play for Otago in the NPC this...
Absolutely love it. One of my favorite Otago and Highlanders. Be a nice mentor for Henry Bell and A-One Lolofie assuming he pushes on from the NZ20’s and make the Otago squad.
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I'm fascinated to see how the coaches manage gametime for a range of positions. Do the coaches focus on player development or trying to win games? At hooker we will have Bell, Jackson, Coltman and A One Lolofie probably on a development contract. At 8 we will have Stodart and may be Sanders and Lio-Willie. While Toleafoa has been immense for Southwrn in club rugby. Halfback, Hastie, Arscott and U20s Pledger. 10 with Millar and Faleafaga. Do we give Faleafaga some time at 12? Midfield with Gilbert, Te Hiwi, Timu, Josh Whaanga. Do we give Josh Whaanga time on the wing. Interested to see what we do with Withy going to Southland. Does Max Ratcliffe come in, does Harry Taylor get a good run on the openside. There might be some steange team mixes to give players decent opportunities
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Otago Rugby confirming Ricky Jackson won't be returning this season, he will instead focus on his career as a real estate agent. Current list of contracted players - https://www.orfu.co.nz/HIGH-PERFORMANCE/NPC/2024-player-profiles
