The Lions have lost Preston and Lakai to AB duty but should get Shields back after he sat out last week going through concussion protocols.

There is a possibility we see Aumua back in action but because his return date is unknown, I'm not certain on whether he will be available. He is definitely back running around though which is a good sign.

The Wellington forwards started to display some of that ball carrying dominance they showed last year and will be looking to recylce that game plan against what will be a physical Otago pack. If they can, then it will give our backline a great platform to attack from.

Likely team vs Otago.

1. Numia
2. Aumua / O'Reilly
3. Lauaki
4. Ieremia
5. Plummer
6. Delany
7. Halalilo
8. Shields
9. Muriwai
10. Garden-Bachop
11. Clarke
12. Savea
13. Proctor
14. Filipo
15. Harkin
16. O'Reilly / Poasa
17. Sheck
18. Yamamoto
19. Petaia
20. Ropeti
21. Koimasavai
22. Solomon
23. Maiava

Stoked to see Pledger and Casey get starts. Disappointed we haven't seen Lolofie yet.

Wellington looking great. We are looking rubbish. Julian Savea is great at this level.

@SouthernMann yeah we have come out half asleep. Awful start

These chips when you have the advantage beggars belief
Great opportunity to use the ball through the hands with a free shot

@Steven-Harris said in Wellington v Otago:

These chips when you have the advantage beggars belief
Great opportunity to use the ball through the hands with a free shot

A real panicked play.

Wellington look great with ball in hand.

We look rubbish. Slow disjointed.

Nice hands on from Nareki and Casey to finish that off.

Kaik boys Pledger and Casey have come to life

Pledger not afraid to put his body in front of big boys on defense. Good to see

Casey and Pledger all over both tries.

Really hope Casey gets a Landers gig. Really reminds me of Sam Harding.

@Grooter Gilbert is an absolute liability

@Steven-Harris said in Wellington v Otago:

@Grooter Gilbert is an absolute liability

He is one of a few 'ok' long term backs. Him, Millar and Timu. Three just don't add a lot.

Komaisavai is rubbish think he’d give Marshall a run for his money with his passing and ruck clearance

Lucas Casey again!

Give Lucas Casey a contract Jamie

@Grooter His speed is out the gate was a 200 metre champ back in the day

How slow is JGB think I’d even gas him

Don’t even try make a tackle there Julian just watch him go past ffs, momentum’s changed big time reminds of Friday night’s game

Tom Maiava looks good

What a ball Cam Millar. Great work by TUJ to finish that. Lovely footy

Noticed the difference in speed of the 2 halfbacks for Otago
New guy had a great run but his service is laboured
Pledger was swift

That's a shame Christian deserved a Try he's been excellent today per usual

What a great game thoroughly entertaining
and a very well deserved win to Otago

What a great game to watch. Huge win for Otago, not many will have picked that upset. Outstanding result. Really enjoying seeing the young lads in this team push on in their development. Can’t concede 41 and expect to win but somehow they got the job done.

On to next week at home against Counties.

@Landers92 happy we were at $3.50 tho we keep building, Landers socials should now have enough Pledger footage to make a highlights post when they announce him

@Grooter said in Wellington v Otago:

@Landers92 happy we were at $3.50 tho we keep building, Landers socials should now have enough Pledger footage to make a highlights post when they announce him

And Lucas Casey

@Landers92 Lucas Casey MOTM as well must be a pick for the Highlanders

@Grooter When I saw Otago score their first I was about to chuck money on them but got sidetracked…

From a Wellington point of view we really need to get Savea out of the backline too slow for the wing can’t tackle, maybe put him at lock. Definitely have better 12s around Wellington then him.

So good seeing Casey going from carving up at club level to doing it NPC too.

Him and Pledger have just gone straight in as key guys. Both them need to play big minutes.

Those face balls from Millar are his nicest attacking moves. He has done it plenty of times with Hurley as well. Good to play to his strength with those plays.