@frugby said in Otago v Wellington:

Feels like a big game for Ajay Faleafaga in the short term at least... to me it is ridiculous not to have in the matchday 23 at this level. Could easily spark things off the bench at the very least, but with Gilbert injured, I'd really like to see the Faleafaga, TUJ 12/13.

I imagine that will be tried at the end of the game when Millar comes on.

What I am concerned about with Faleafaga is that he gets games like this, without continuity, without prep and then gets bagged and dropped when it doesn't go well. What is the strategy they have with him, how do they enaure they are building his confidence; as sporadic gametime with cobbled together teams is not what is best for the player. This looks like a similar situation to giving him a start in the last round of Super Rugby against a hot Hurricanes.

I’d imagine Harkin would get the 10 jersey for the Lions they’d didn’t bring him on until the 70th minute.

Still no Lions team named? Must be a bit of scrambling given our weekend game has become a shield challenge.

@foobaNZ looks like the team is on the Tab Website backline featuring Harkin, Patafilo, Umaga Jensen, M Proctor, Solomon, Harry Press at hooker, I'm unfamiliar who would he your halfback and fullback but it's not listed as Preston or Clark

@Grooter said in Otago v Wellington:

@foobaNZ looks like the team is on the Tab Website backline featuring Harkin, Patafilo, Umaga Jensen, M Proctor, Solomon, Harry Press at hooker, I'm unfamiliar who would he your halfback and fullback but it's not listed as Preston or Clark

It will be either Mitchel McLeod or the ring in from Waikato who's name escapes me.

So from the TAB site our team is the following. A bit shocked as to why Caleb Delany is starting, surely we should be saving him for the Shield challenge.

1. Yato Kamimori
2. Harry Press
3. Bradley Chrichton
4. Caleb Delany
5. Akira Ieremia
6. Ben Tuiomanufili
7. Sione Halalilo
8. Dominic Ropeti
9. Nui Muriwai
10. Callum Harkin
11. Pepesana Patafilo
12. Peter Umaga-Jensen
13. Matt Proctor
14. Stanley Solomon
15. Tom Maiava

Contain the midfield and we should win.

@SouthernMann said in Otago v Wellington:

Contain the midfield and we should win.

I wonder what the odds are? Might be a good time to put money on Otago.

Otago is paying $2.45. In saying that containing ypur midfield is a big challenge. You have an All Black and a FAB. We have a club battler on debut and a fringe Super player from Australia. Mismatch

@SouthernMann said in Otago v Wellington:

Otago is paying $2.45. In saying that containing ypur midfield is a big challenge. You have an All Black and a FAB. We have a club battler on debut and a fringe Super player from Australia. Mismatch

Technically they are two FAB's and both 1 test ABS. Harkin and Patafilo also provide plenty of quality in that backline and you can't sleep on Solomon.

Muriwai and Maiava are two relatively unknowns.

In saying all that I'd say Otago will run away with in the last twenty as they'll likely have a much stronger bench.

@Canes4life we're exactly known for having a good final 20 minutes....

@Kiwiwomble I doubt Wellington will have anyone of note on the bench so I don't think we have any chance in this one but you never know.

Cool for Harry Press to make his debut in Dunedin after spending a few years down there

It seems that the ABs are only allowed to play this or the weekend game. No Bower, Aumua or Love.

@SouthernMann said in Otago v Wellington:

Cool for Harry Press to make his debut in Dunedin after spending a few years down there

Yeah, I reckon he'll become a regular starter for us. As a former HIBS lad myself it's good to see another player from our college make the grade with Logan Henry and James O'Reilly being the only others to play pro footy.

Def a B team. Wellington will be well to win this! But understandable given the Shield challenge.

If Callum Harkin is at 10 then I'm thinking they still think JGB is the first choice 10. Baffling.

@foobaNZ said in Otago v Wellington:

Def a B team. Wellington will be well to win this! But understandable given the Shield challenge.

If Callum Harkin is at 10 then I'm thinking they still think JGB is the first choice 10. Baffling.

Yeah we all know there are moronic coaches out there. Harkin clearly the better 10 but once again blocked by incompetent selecting.

@SouthernMann said in Otago v Wellington:

@frugby said in Otago v Wellington:

Feels like a big game for Ajay Faleafaga in the short term at least... to me it is ridiculous not to have in the matchday 23 at this level. Could easily spark things off the bench at the very least, but with Gilbert injured, I'd really like to see the Faleafaga, TUJ 12/13.

I imagine that will be tried at the end of the game when Millar comes on.

What I am concerned about with Faleafaga is that he gets games like this, without continuity, without prep and then gets bagged and dropped when it doesn't go well. What is the strategy they have with him, how do they enaure they are building his confidence; as sporadic gametime with cobbled together teams is not what is best for the player. This looks like a similar situation to giving him a start in the last round of Super Rugby against a hot Hurricanes.

Got to something going on with him behind the scenes for him to be treated like this at the start of the NPC season. I’m not saying there has been because I don’t actually know but it’s possible(I hope I’m wrong). Theres also a chance he’s been carrying a niggle and slowly getting that back to 100%.

A guy like that who looked good in the pre season doesn’t just fall out of favor and play for the development team for no reason. Way too much talent to not even be on the bench, especially as a 10.

@Canes4life fucking hell they've gone two over quota and have as many players as darling Petone if I read that right!

Petone only has a decade or two of providing players. At that point it'll transfer to a swimming club. No more rugby players

Looking forward to this game being played in front of about 800 tonight. Wednesday rugby. Great idea, especially in a struggling competition.

Was that Finn Hurley running the ball out?

Looking forward to watching Hurley after all the chat this week

Strong start by Welly. Plenty of x-factor on the park but plenty of inexperience.

Hastie has had a strong start. Hope it continues

So has finn Hurley

@SouthernMann he certainly has

Top run from Lucas Casey. Him and Harry Taylor are both quite similar in their styles of play.

Harkin is a classy 10, reminds me of Cruden a bit. So much better than JGB.

Hurley looking dangerous.

Some U13 defence out there

Haig is a very hungey lineout caller when he doesn't have the big Dutchman alongside him. Seems to have safely called himself in most of the lineouts.

Whaanga isn't a winger. Doesn't have the top end pace. Looks a bit lost in space at the end of the chain. Would be best going going back to centre. Being a target and having players run off him. A bit dumb from our favourite Otago fullback there. Done plenty of good things so far, that was dumb.

The Hurley v Solomon match-up is fun to watch.

@SouthernMann if it works it works. Though he does have two other line out options in Tucker and Leo Willie

Jeez Henry Bell has been having an average season. Can't hit a barndoor throwing wise.

Would have preferred the penalty there ref ffs. Was right in front.

Entertaining first half.

@SouthernMann also FYI Tucker is calling the lineout today, not Haig

@KiwiInLondon Strange, seeing as Haig has been doing it all year and with the Highlanders