Otago getting some coverage on this weeks Sky show well actually it's mostly about Pledger but still a good listen
SF: Otago
Match thread
BoP
1 Josh Bartlett, 2 Taine Kolose, 3 Tevita Mafileo, 4 Naitoa Ah Kuoi (C), 5 Aisake Vakasiuola, 6 Jacob Norris, 7 Veveni Lasaga, 8 Nikora Broughton, 9 Richard Judd, 10 Lucas Cashmore, 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 12 Seamus Bardoul, 13 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14 Kele Lasaqa, 15 Cole Forbes
Reserves: 16 Sione Tupou, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Benet Kumeroa, 19 Semisi Paea, 20 Joe Johnston, 21 Charlie Sinton, 22 Reon Paul, 23 Ngarohi McGarvey-Black
A fascinating matchup this and the pick of the two semi finals. Quite like how both of these sides play in attack, more so than how my own team does. The Bay have the best attack in the comp in my view.
The weight of expectation seems to be building for Otago.
@ACT-Crusader years of reality checks dangle over our heads......
last week was one if the big differences from previous years though
- we started strong
- bounced back after going behind
- closed it out whilst under pressure (droppie and clutch penalty)
all things we wouldnt have expected in previous years...let alone all in one game
@ACT-Crusader said in SF: Otago v BoP:
A fascinating matchup this and the pick of the two semi finals. Quite like how both of these sides play in attack, more so than how my own team does. The Bay have the best attack in the comp in my view.
The weight of expectation seems to be building for Otago.
On 2nd thought we shall go Into this as slight underdogs, BOPs halfback has been playing domestic rugby since 2010. our halfback was only starting Primary School in 2010
Turns out A One Lolofie and Heath Macewan are injured
More confident this week than I was last week. Big issue last week was we lost the battle in the loose forwards. I don't see that occuring this week. Should get better punch off the bench this week too.
ODT rugby chat with the two Kaik boys.
6 - 7k Tickets sold.
@ARHS said in SF: Otago v BoP:
Starting Judd at halfback will add some leadership back
It's hard to blame Sinton for last week's game. He is still only 18 years old ! And he wasn't that bad, just a bit overwhelmed by the occasion. He's had a very good season so far, that is why he was the starting halfback for a few games.
@cgrant said in SF: Otago v BoP:
@ARHS said in SF: Otago v BoP:
Starting Judd at halfback will add some leadership back
It's hard to blame Sinton for last week's game. He is still only 18 years old ! And he wasn't that bad, just a bit overwhelmed by the occasion. He's had a very good season so far, that is why he was the starting halfback for a few games.
Err ..? No, I meant just what I said. Bop is short on leaders without Eklund. Ah Kuoi is not an experienced captain. Needs someone experienced and authoritative to boss the forwards and direct the backs. Unfair to expect that of Charlie or Cashmore, but these knockout games require a team to impose their style and game plan on the opposition early on. Judd has a strong box kick and darts well around the ruck. In my eyes BOP is very much a confidence team. I think the selection addresses this. I cringed in the Hawkes Bay match....
@frugby said in SF: Otago v BoP:
The ODT seems to suggest A-zone is not injured…
I just don't think they properly asked a question. It happens. The NZR policy is pretty strict around bringing in an outside frontrower. Need to not have anyone capable. It has to be considered a H&S issue. Both Lolofie and MacEwan have played first class rugby. It wouldn't be a H&S issue to play them. Going down to the next layer would be bringing in guys who haven't played for several weeks. The next in line would have been the Harbour hooker.
I do rate the intel Logan Savory gets.
@barky1 said in SF: Otago v BoP:
You'd think they would have had to start Coltman over Souchon
yeah, i have always found that weird, world cup squads someone picks up an niggle and they bring in cover...who then starts ahead of other sin the squad
The most impressive thing this season for the Steamers compared to the last 2 seasons has been the defence and a desperation to defend the line when called upon.
2023: 38 tries conceded in 11 games (43 scored)
2024: 40 tries conceded in 13 games (60 scored)
2025: 26 tries conceded in 11 games. (49 scored)
@KiwiPie said in SF: Otago v BoP:
The most impressive thing this season for the Steamers compared to the last 2 seasons has been the defence and a desperation to defend the line when called upon.
2023: 38 tries conceded in 11 games (43 scored)
2024: 40 tries conceded in 13 games (60 scored)
2025: 26 tries conceded in 11 games. (49 scored)
Great stat
Am I far wrong in saying Trask was probably named in all squads and played about 4 games over 3 seasons?
@SouthernMann this I find annoying I had no issue with Wellington using Hika Elliot last year as he was playing heartland rugby
This situation however I find outside the realms of sportsmanship
If he was a loan player from Otago to Southland then maybe
For me if you have injuries it’s the cards your dealt with , your telling me there’s no hookers in either Otago club rugby or country rugby who could do a job.
@SouthernMann so do I… but Otago did not list Lolofie as injured - Macewan definitely is.
My thought is maybe the injury triggers you being allowed to call in another player, and the are then free to play regardless of injury?
@Steven-Harris It’s a safety issue - rule only applies to front rowers at this stage of the season.
All other hookers are not training and they are not allowed to come in cold.
Hurley is looking jacked following his injury layoff. I suspect he has been ready for a few weeks but the Landers have been wanting to ensure he is fully firing.
@bayimports said in SF: Otago v BoP:
@KiwiPie said in SF: Otago v BoP:
The most impressive thing this season for the Steamers compared to the last 2 seasons has been the defence and a desperation to defend the line when called upon.
2023: 38 tries conceded in 11 games (43 scored)
2024: 40 tries conceded in 13 games (60 scored)
2025: 26 tries conceded in 11 games. (49 scored)Great stat
Am I far wrong in saying Trask was probably named in all squads and played about 4 games over 3 seasons?
According to this fantastic site
2023: Zero
2024: 9
2025: 6
It also tells me that the current players with most appearances are
63 Eklund (2019-)
51 Narawa (2108-)
50 Trask (2018-)
47 Broughton (2021-)
47 Judd (2017-)
45 Ah Kuoi (2022-)
42 Carter (2019-)
39 Mafileo (2019-)
38 Bartlett (2021-)
38 Cashmore (2021-)
38 Norris (2022-)
35 Kumeroa (2021-)
34 Johnston (2019-)
34 Lalomilo (2018-)
33 Forbes (2018-)
That's a whole 15 who have all been the squad for 4 seasons or more - explains why this has been a good time for us, 3 consecutive top 4 finishes.
My Tip for this game 3 leg multi Lucas Casey, Dylan Pledger & Fehi Fineanganofo Try @ $19 (feel free to ignore/remove cheers)
Confirmation from Brown Lolofie is fit enough. As thought left out due to issues at scrumtime.
I don't think we should have been able to of brought in an outside player for a squad guy that we picked at the start of the season. Should be suck it up Otago. You picked the guy.
@SouthernMann 100%
@Bovidae said in SF: Otago v BoP:
I still expect BOP to have an advantage in the scrum.
BoP should smash us up front. You'd pick all of their props over ours.
Think our bench has been good this year, bringing on players early in the second half hasn’t hurt us in most games…. Yet
Let’s see looking pretty even this one and home advantage always helps. Not confident but excited for the team nonetheless!
@Bovidae said in SF: Otago v BoP:
I still expect BOP to have an advantage in the scrum.
We do seem to have props to burn at the moment - even when 2 were selected for the ABs, we went OK. Locks not so much but fingers crossed, we've not had to test our depth there.
Also we have only played one night game this year and it was awful (v Harbour).. we won but it wasnt pretty
@bayimports Forgotten the Southland game?
@Bovidae said in SF: Otago v BoP:
@bayimports Forgotten the Southland game?
what southland game ..it didnt happen 
and I think it was 5pm, so I dont call that a night game
fair point though, still backs my point that we are shit at night
@bayimports said in SF: Otago v BoP:
@Bovidae said in SF: Otago v BoP:
@bayimports Forgotten the Southland game?
what southland game ..it didnt happen
fair point though, still backs my point that we are shit at night
Excuses in early
Bay by 4
@ACT-Crusader said in SF: Otago v BoP:
@bayimports said in SF: Otago v BoP:
@Bovidae said in SF: Otago v BoP:
@bayimports Forgotten the Southland game?
what southland game ..it didnt happen
fair point though, still backs my point that we are shit at night
Excuses in early
Bay by 4
absolutely!
@SouthernMann said in SF: Otago v BoP:
Right there was Millar's weakness. Held up and turned over.
He just needs to stick to his strengths and no over play his hand