Otago 2024
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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
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@SouthernMann said in Otago 2024:
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
There’s the answer I was talking about a few weeks back and shows why the Coltman signing happened, that older experienced guy to be that mentor type. I’m sure he still has plenty in the tank.
Henry Bell, A-One Lolofie and Coltman. That’s a very solid trio for NPC level.
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Squad is taking shape... hearing Ale Aho is in the squad.
Best 23?
- Bower
- Bell
- Ma'u
- Haig (Tucker is injured I believe)
- Holland
- Stodart
- Sanders
- Lio-Willie
- Arscott
- Millar
- Nareki
- Faleafaga
- Te Hiwi
- Gilbert
- Hurley
- Coltman
- Pole
- Wingham
- Aho
- Taylor
- Hastie
- Leslie
- J Whaanga
Others: Lopas, Timu, Asi, Fischli (Likely gone for the season with a broken ankle)
Probably need another hooker (Lolofie), another lock (Club player I'd think to cover Tucker), another loose forward (To replace Fischli), and another halfback (Pledger?)
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I hope we play players in position, instead of trying to get the best players on the paddock. We also see this as an opportunity to give young guys in our system a run. We have our already confirmed 27 players, the you guys I'd like to see added are Ratcliffe, Rangitutia, Pledger, Lolofie, Toleafoa (could replace Fischli). Reports are there are a few more lads who are a year or two away.
Rotation is what I want to see, not consistent selection.
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@SouthernMann said in Otago 2024:
I hope we play players in position, instead of trying to get the best players on the paddock. We also see this as an opportunity to give young guys in our system a run. We have our already confirmed 27 players, the you guys I'd like to see added are Ratcliffe, Rangitutia, Pledger, Lolofie, Toleafoa (could replace Fischli). Reports are there are a few more lads who are a year or two away.
Rotation is what I want to see, not consistent selection.
There is a balance. Millar though, if he is the best 10, then he plays 10. This is not have a go rugby... Faleafaga's pace and playmaking still means you want to get him on the field, so therefore could more than adequately play 12... if that means we have to shoehorn someone like Gilbert to the wing, so be it.
Likewise, I don't see much point in picking a substandard lock as opposed to picking an extra loosie, when we have real depth and quality there.
What I don't really want to see is Whaanga/Timu on the wing, because they simply don't have the speed to play there.
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@frugby said in Otago 2024:
@SouthernMann said in Otago 2024:
I hope we play players in position, instead of trying to get the best players on the paddock. We also see this as an opportunity to give young guys in our system a run. We have our already confirmed 27 players, the you guys I'd like to see added are Ratcliffe, Rangitutia, Pledger, Lolofie, Toleafoa (could replace Fischli). Reports are there are a few more lads who are a year or two away.
Rotation is what I want to see, not consistent selection.
There is a balance. Millar though, if he is the best 10, then he plays 10. This is not have a go rugby... Faleafaga's pace and playmaking still means you want to get him on the field, so therefore could more than adequately play 12... if that means we have to shoehorn someone like Gilbert to the wing, so be it.
Likewise, I don't see much point in picking a substandard lock as opposed to picking an extra loosie, when we have real depth and quality there.
What I don't really want to see is Whaanga/Timu on the wing, because they simply don't have the speed to play there.
Nah I disagree. It is a learn about your players level.
Millar and Faleafaga share the 10 jersey. There is little between them and they both should get the opportunity to grow and develop.
Midfield is shared between Te Hiwi/Timu/Whaanga/Gilbert and probably Leslie, seeing as he is contracted.
We play specialist wingers on the wing. Nareki/Asi/Rangitutia. We will see Whaanga on the wing though. I'm sure of it.
No issue with Haig at lock, he is fine at Super level. However, he is mainly a blindside and should get first go there. He should share that role with Sanders.
Stoddart and Lio-Willie should be the men at 8.
Openside is another position where I want to see specialists. Taylor or Ratcliffe.
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@SouthernMann said in Otago 2024:
@frugby said in Otago 2024:
@SouthernMann said in Otago 2024:
I hope we play players in position, instead of trying to get the best players on the paddock. We also see this as an opportunity to give young guys in our system a run. We have our already confirmed 27 players, the you guys I'd like to see added are Ratcliffe, Rangitutia, Pledger, Lolofie, Toleafoa (could replace Fischli). Reports are there are a few more lads who are a year or two away.
Rotation is what I want to see, not consistent selection.
There is a balance. Millar though, if he is the best 10, then he plays 10. This is not have a go rugby... Faleafaga's pace and playmaking still means you want to get him on the field, so therefore could more than adequately play 12... if that means we have to shoehorn someone like Gilbert to the wing, so be it.
Likewise, I don't see much point in picking a substandard lock as opposed to picking an extra loosie, when we have real depth and quality there.
What I don't really want to see is Whaanga/Timu on the wing, because they simply don't have the speed to play there.
Nah I disagree. It is a learn about your players level.
Millar and Faleafaga share the 10 jersey. There is little between them and they both should get the opportunity to grow and develop.
Midfield is shared between Te Hiwi/Timu/Whaanga/Gilbert and probably Leslie, seeing as he is contracted.
We play specialist wingers on the wing. Nareki/Asi/Rangitutia. We will see Whaanga on the wing though. I'm sure of it.
No issue with Haig at lock, he is fine at Super level. However, he is mainly a blindside and should get first go there. He should share that role with Sanders.
Stoddart and Lio-Willie should be the men at 8.
Openside is another position where I want to see specialists. Taylor or Ratcliffe.
With the squad at hand - particularly the forwards, Otago should be trying to win the NPC... Anything less than the quarters is an absolutely abject failure. To do that, consistency in selection is needed, and you also need your best players playing.
With the nature of the NPC, particularly through the middle of the year, rotation is needed, and the short nature means that changes happen when results aren't working, I am cool with that, but for example, if Millar starts the first game, plays a blinder against Southland and we win, he should keep the jersey - and he should pretty much keep it until he deserves to lose it - or vice-versa for Faleafaga.
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@SouthernMann said in Otago 2024:
I hope we play players in position, instead of trying to get the best players on the paddock. We also see this as an opportunity to give young guys in our system a run. We have our already confirmed 27 players, the you guys I'd like to see added are Ratcliffe, Rangitutia, Pledger, Lolofie, Toleafoa (could replace Fischli). Reports are there are a few more lads who are a year or two away.
Rotation is what I want to see, not consistent selection.
Hopefully we see Pledger in the system. Would hate to have another Hotham situation.
Would like to see him in over Kieran McClea who has been away in the MLR.
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@Landers92 said in Otago 2024:
@SouthernMann said in Otago 2024:
I hope we play players in position, instead of trying to get the best players on the paddock. We also see this as an opportunity to give young guys in our system a run. We have our already confirmed 27 players, the you guys I'd like to see added are Ratcliffe, Rangitutia, Pledger, Lolofie, Toleafoa (could replace Fischli). Reports are there are a few more lads who are a year or two away.
Rotation is what I want to see, not consistent selection.
Hopefully we see Pledger in the system. Would hate to have another Hotham situation.
Would like to see him in over Kieran McClea who has been away in the MLR.
Hotham was a weird one for Otago and the Landers. Clearly more talented than Hastie and Arscott, yet it felt ike he was passed over because they were local kids. I remember an article where Otago stated they looked at the three halfbacks and passed him over. I think there will be a drive for Pledger to be kept around. A real system kid. All Otago rep teams, all NZ rep teams. They need to map our his future for him.
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@SouthernMann said in Otago 2024:
@Landers92 said in Otago 2024:
@SouthernMann said in Otago 2024:
I hope we play players in position, instead of trying to get the best players on the paddock. We also see this as an opportunity to give young guys in our system a run. We have our already confirmed 27 players, the you guys I'd like to see added are Ratcliffe, Rangitutia, Pledger, Lolofie, Toleafoa (could replace Fischli). Reports are there are a few more lads who are a year or two away.
Rotation is what I want to see, not consistent selection.
Hopefully we see Pledger in the system. Would hate to have another Hotham situation.
Would like to see him in over Kieran McClea who has been away in the MLR.
Hotham was a weird one for Otago and the Landers. Clearly more talented than Hastie and Arscott, yet it felt ike he was passed over because they were local kids. I remember an article where Otago stated they looked at the three halfbacks and passed him over. I think there will be a drive for Pledger to be kept around. A real system kid. All Otago rep teams, all NZ rep teams. They need to map our his future for him.
Slightly different situations... I think Fakatava was banked on as being the ABs next #9 - that has since been curtailed by the double ACL issue. Hastie was/is also very highly rated - was a starting halfback for the U20s, but has struggled badly with injuries himself. I think Otago definitely have the blinkers on when it comes to sticking with local guys, but the Highlanders were probably a victim of circumstance that the Crusaders had a clearer opening at halfback.
With Pledger, it will work itself out, because I'd say there is a reasonable chance Fakatava heads offshore after the 2025 season, which will open a spot in the Highlanders squad. It may force Hastie/Arscott down to Southland, or potentially Hastie could even try his luck in Australia.
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@frugby said in Otago 2024:
@SouthernMann said in Otago 2024:
@Landers92 said in Otago 2024:
@SouthernMann said in Otago 2024:
With Pledger, it will work itself out, because I'd say there is a reasonable chance Fakatava heads offshore after the 2025 season, which will open a spot in the Highlanders squad.
Based off what? Fakatava is still only 24. Had a down season yes but he’s still there or there abouts in halfback discussions for higher honours. Be highly surprised if he left after next season and really hope he doesn’t.
Agree about the Hastie point. He’s better than Arscott imo so hopefully he can stay healthy and have a good npc season. Will be a good battle to watch and if they have Pledger nipping at their heals, then even better.
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@frugby said in Otago 2024:
I think Fakatava was banked on as being the ABs next #9 - that has since been curtailed by the double ACL issue.
Still quite possible that he hits real form next year. Maybe with better coaching? He certainly has the skills.
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@Tim said in Otago 2024:
@frugby said in Otago 2024:
I think Fakatava was banked on as being the ABs next #9 - that has since been curtailed by the double ACL issue.
Still quite possible that he hits real form next year. Maybe with better coaching? He certainly has the skills.
I hope so, but feels like the Abs might have shown their hand.
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@Tim Hmmm I'm starting to get Augustine Pulu vibes from the guy. A bit of a highlights reel player and and I've always thought that he overplays his hand too much in games. I hope he does become the player everyone thought he would become and would love to be wrong about the guy, but the more the years go by, it feels like the further he gets overtaken by others.
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Paul Dwyer caught up with Hunter Fahey (Dunedin club affiliated, Southland provincial) and Finn Hurley. Fahey talked about the eight Southlanders in the Dunedin run acadamey. Hurley mentioned Jake Te Hiwi has a broken wrist and James Arscott is on holiday in Europe. Highlanders are slowly feeding back into club rugby. Nareki, Hurley, Umaga-Jensen, Wingham and Hastie are all listed for this weekend. Still a couple of teams to be put in. Top of the table clash this weekend. With Dunedin playing Green Island. What I keep thinking about with the Southland based acadamey, is surely we are going to get to a point where we amalgamate the premier comps in Southland and Dunedin. Make it a top draw comp. Get the players to indicate who they want to play for, and have more teams in the comp. With Te Hiwi injured with a broken hand, it might ensure Otago takes back Umaga-Jensen for the provincial season. Here is the catch up
