Otago 2025

Here's the forum for Otago and their news for 2025.

Squad starter:

PROPS
George Bower
Ben Lopas
Saula Ma'u
Abraham Pole (Tonga)
Rohan Wingham
BOLTER: Moana Takataka, Steve Salelea, Abraham Lauaki, Darius Fidow

HOOKERS
Henry Bell
Liam Coltman
BOLTER: A-One Lolofie, Heath MacEwan, Gabriel Francesconi

LOCKS
Fabian Holland (AB's?)
BOLTER: Quinten Holland, Christian MacEwan, Boston Hunt, Reuben Palmer
GONE: Ale Aho, Will Tucker

LOOSIES
Ollie Haig
Christian Lio-Willie
Will Stodart
Harry Taylor
Lucas Casey
Max Ratcliffe
BOLTER: Konrad Toleafoa, Amos Roddick, Caine Taylor, Taylor Dale, Matthew Brock
Injury Cover: Slade McDowall (Staying here for family)
GONE: Tom Sanders, Sam Fischli

HALF BACKS
Nathan Hastie
Dylan Pledger
BOLTER: Bradley Campbell, Bob Martin
GONE: James Arscott

FIRST FIVES
Cameron Millar
Ajay Faleafaga??
BOLTER: Rique Miln, Cameron Burgess

MIDFIELDERS
Jake Te Hiwi (Injured)
Josh Timu
Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Josh Whaanga
Sam Gilbert
BOLTER: Riley Lucas, Aleki Morris-Lome, Joe Cooke, Mac Harris
GONE: Jack Leslie

WINGS
Jeremiah Asi
Jona Nareki
Kyan Rangitutia
BOLTER: Wiremu Brailey, Joseph Cockburn

FULL BACKS
Finn Hurley (Injured)
BOLTER: Sam Nemec-Vial (Injured), Charlie Breen

Jack Leslie has signed for London Scottish

@Kiwidom said in Otago 2025:

London Scottish

Is Pommie Div 2 much of a step up as I don't think they are exactly flush in cash despite it costing one hundred and ten quid to become a social member?Incidentally I see Mark Bright is no longer plying his trade in their pro ranks after what must have been about a thousand games but is still listed as a player/coach within the Amateur side of the club

Paul Dwyer believes Coltman is back. Solana is already in Southland. Fischli going south too. Lepionka a Southland aligned player too. Dwyer reckons Bob Martin being courted back from Australia. Gilbert staying for NPC. Te Hiwi should be available for the NPC? Hurley to return to club rugby in the next couple of weeks.

Here is the squad I think we are roughly tracking to:

A one lolofie
Henry bell
Liam Coltman
Moana takataka
Ben Lopas
Rohan Wingham
Salu Ma'u
George Bower
Abraham Pole

Fabian Holland
Will Stodart
Oli Haig
Quentin Holland?
Will Tucker - seems likely

Harry Taylor
Lucas Casey
Max Ratcliffe
Christian Lio-Willie
Konrad Toleafoa

Nathan Hastie
Dylan Pledger
Bob Martin

Cam Millar
Rique Miln/

TUJ
Jake Te Hiwi
Josh Whaanga
Sam Gilbert
Josh Timu?

Jeremiah Asi
Jona Nareki
Kyan Rangitutia
Fin Hurley
Sam Nemac-Vial?
A Nother outside back

Hearing Hurley has retweaked his quad injury, not sure of the severity yet though … tbc

@CtownCowboy said in Otago 2025:

Hearing Hurley has retweaked his quad injury, not sure of the severity yet though … tbc

That'd be disappointing. I was told by someone last weekend he was looking good for a return in a couple of weeks. Kid needs to be back on the field.

A few thoughts

1. Surley if Will Tucker is locked in at the Canes he should be with Otago this season?
2. What happened with Ale Aho? Highlanders high performance programme, fast tracked into NPC. Waratahs contract. Then suddenly midway through the super rugby season he's playing club rugby in Christchurch. Can anyone help me understand what went wrong? And where he's off too next?
3. With Fabian Holland potentially in the All Blacks. How the hell did we not lock down Tengblad?
4. How Aione Lolife gone in club rugby this year? He dosn't seem to factor into Highlanders plans with the rise of Kempton and probably has Mcewan, Coltman and Bell ahead of him at Otago. Can't head south either given the logjam of hookers there too.
5. Is Josh Timu still playing? I haven't followed club rugby this season. Feel like he's been made of glass since 2020. Similarly has Tom Sanders retired?
6. Is Waisake still floating around Dunedin? Know he got an NPC contract a year or two back and immediately got injured. Would he still be a chance to make this squad?

@handa457 said in Otago 2025:

A few thoughts

1. Surley if Will Tucker is locked in at the Canes he should be with Otago this season?
2. What happened with Ale Aho? Highlanders high performance programme, fast tracked into NPC. Waratahs contract. Then suddenly midway through the super rugby season he's playing club rugby in Christchurch. Can anyone help me understand what went wrong? And where he's off too next?
3. With Fabian Holland potentially in the All Blacks. How the hell did we not lock down Tengblad?
4. How Aione Lolife gone in club rugby this year? He dosn't seem to factor into Highlanders plans with the rise of Kempton and probably has Mcewan, Coltman and Bell ahead of him at Otago. Can't head south either given the logjam of hookers there too.
5. Is Josh Timu still playing? I haven't followed club rugby this season. Feel like he's been made of glass since 2020. Similarly has Tom Sanders retired?
6. Is Waisake still floating around Dunedin? Know he got an NPC contract a year or two back and immediately got injured. Would he still be a chance to make this squad?

Timu is running around for Southern in the midfield, would expect him to be named in the squad again.

Tom Sanders has vanished.

Not a chance with Waisake. He only comes off the bench every now and then for Harbour. His knee is buggered.

The biggest benefit of Waisake Naholo is being a constant at Harbour Rugby Club. Especially around guys who would remember him as the legend he was when he was at his best for the Highlanders.

What I have also been told is Marty Banks is proving to be a heck of a cosch at club level. A heck of a man motivator.

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:

The biggest benefit of Waisake Naholo is being a constant at Harbour Rugby Club. Especially around guys who would remember him as the legend he was when he was at his best for the Highlanders.

What I have also been told is Marty Banks is proving to be a heck of a cosch at club level. A heck of a man motivator.

Could definitely see a world where in five years B Smith is Landers coach, and Banks is the attack coach.

Sam Nemec-Vial is currently injured but should be back before club season finishes (fingers crossed) Timu will be back

Otago coaching team confirmed.

Head coach - Mark Brown
Back & Attack coach - Ryan Bambry
Forwards and Set Piece coach - Will Henry
Defence coach - Lee Allen
Back & Skills coach - Mitchell Scott

anyone got the Mark Browns history?

@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2025:

anyone got the Mark Browns history?

Not a household name but I found this was the best information I could find when he was first named. Should give you an idea.

Dunedin man. Played Otago B’s then took off overseas. Coached Canterbury age grade then co coached Canterbury with Rueben Thorne. Those are the key parts.

cheers

Apparently he isn't based in Dunedin yet.

@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2025:

anyone got the Mark Browns history?

He didn't have a great record with Canterbury and got moved aside.

@Chris said in Otago 2025:

@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2025:

anyone got the Mark Browns history?

He didn't have a great record with Canterbury and got moved aside.

Now now, I know Reuben Thorne is a protected species in Canterbury land but Mark can’t take all the blame

@Landers92 said in Otago 2025:

@Chris said in Otago 2025:

@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2025:

anyone got the Mark Browns history?

He didn't have a great record with Canterbury and got moved aside.

Now now, I know Reuben Thorne is a protected species in Canterbury land but Mark can’t take all the blame

I wasn’t talking about Thorne he was shit as well.
Someone asked about Browns record and it was answered Brown was poor.
I have talked to people who were coached by Brown I was not given a great response .

@Chris haha I’m only kidding around mate.

Put it this way though, he can’t be worse than Donnelly.

@Landers92 said in Otago 2025:

@Chris haha I’m only kidding around mate.

Put it this way though, he can’t be worse than Donnelly.

Yeah no idea how he will go in a different enviroment a change maybe good for him.

Max Ratcliffe has been signed for the upcoming season.

@frugby said in Otago 2025:

Max Ratcliffe has been signed for the upcoming season.

for those of us out the the region, good? bad?

obvious will google but in the interest of some chat

From what I have read. Is a Hawke's Bay product out, playing for the Sharks. Primarily a seven, can play eight as well. Big strong kid. Had some injuries. Is still only 21. Played for NZ baabaas during the U20s comp. He was also thr 2024 U20s player of the year for the Landers.

Probably the back up 7 to Harry Taylor. If Lio-Willie is with the ABs all season. One of Toleafoa or Casey will be af 8.

Casey will be 8? Surely Stodart will be 8?

I think Stodart is going to play a lot of lock

@SouthernMann I hope not. Needs to be playing 8.

I tend to disagree. He is our best lock out of the playing group. With Tengblad on the up. We know what Tucker has to offer. The two most dominant players in club rugby are Casey and Toleafoa. Both 8s.

Apart from Tucker and Tengblad. We are then dropping down to Eric Peita, Boston Hunt, Reuben Palmer as well as potentially Quintin Holland, Mitch Tinnock and Christian MacEwan as locks.

@Kiwiwomble haven’t followed in club rugby. But I remember when he came down south he was highly touted and then everything seemed to go a bit quiet around him.

Suppose that makes sense if he’s been injured. But a few former highlanders academy boys need big seasons if they’re going to push for super contracts. Kyan Rangitura, Jeremiah Asi, Toleafoa, Ratcliff, Reuben Palmer, Moana Takaka and Stan Mclurie all missed out on NZU20’s Squads, while Hunter Fahey made it but hadn’t yet kicked on.

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:

I tend to disagree. He is our best lock out of the playing group. With Tengblad on the up. We know what Tucker has to offer. The two most dominant players in club rugby are Casey and Toleafoa. Both 8s.

Apart from Tucker and Tengblad. We are then dropping down to Eric Peita, Boston Hunt, Reuben Palmer as well as potentially Quintin Holland, Mitch Tinnock and Christian MacEwan as locks.

Stodart long-term needs to be playing 8 though. Begs the question why we didn't re-sign Fischli. I'm expecting to see some plonker from outside Otago bought in at lock.

@frugby i agree with that, i thought he played well at lock

@frugby said in Otago 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:

I tend to disagree. He is our best lock out of the playing group. With Tengblad on the up. We know what Tucker has to offer. The two most dominant players in club rugby are Casey and Toleafoa. Both 8s.

Apart from Tucker and Tengblad. We are then dropping down to Eric Peita, Boston Hunt, Reuben Palmer as well as potentially Quintin Holland, Mitch Tinnock and Christian MacEwan as locks.

Stodart long-term needs to be playing 8 though. Begs the question why we didn't re-sign Fischli. I'm expecting to see some plonker from outside Otago bought in at lock.

I expect we will fill out lock internally. Boston Hunt from all accounts was one of the best locks in Wellington, and got injured before the NPC last year. Christian MacEwan almost made the U20s. Then they will use Stodart and at a pinch Haig there as well.

Stodart has primarily played at lock for the Landers. That bench utility role is best best spot, game time wise at the moment.

As for Fischli. He is too similar to some of the other Super guys. Also a perfect replacement for Blair Ryall at Southland.

@frugby said in Otago 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:
I'm expecting to see some plonker from outside Otago bought in at lock.

Could be headed the same way with our midfield again after the news that Josh Whaanga has injured his knee. Doesn’t sound too great at the moment.

At the moment it’s looking like TUJ, Gilbert could be asked to play there and a Josh Timu recall. Expect Joe Cooke to be around the squad again too.

@Landers92 said in Otago 2025:

@frugby said in Otago 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:
I'm expecting to see some plonker from outside Otago bought in at lock.

Could be headed the same way with our midfield again after the news that Josh Whaanga has injured his knee. Doesn’t sound too great at the moment.

At the moment it’s looking like TUJ, Gilbert could be asked to play there and a Josh Timu recall. Expect Joe Cooke to be around the squad again too.

Hopefully Jake Te Hiwi is back from his injury troubles. Would be good to see him have a long run of consistent selections. Riley Lucas is probably the only guy running around in club footy that is worth a go. So we will probably have to go to the provincial wishing well. Southland on the other hand have six midfielders.

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:

@Landers92 said in Otago 2025:

@frugby said in Otago 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:
I'm expecting to see some plonker from outside Otago bought in at lock.

Could be headed the same way with our midfield again after the news that Josh Whaanga has injured his knee. Doesn’t sound too great at the moment.

At the moment it’s looking like TUJ, Gilbert could be asked to play there and a Josh Timu recall. Expect Joe Cooke to be around the squad again too.

Hopefully Jake Te Hiwi is back from his injury troubles. Would be good to see him have a long run of consistent selections. Riley Lucas is probably the only guy running around in club footy that is worth a go. So we will probably have to go to the provincial wishing well. Southland on the other hand have six midfielders.

Shit I completely forgot about Te Hiwi, knew I was forgetting someone. Yeah would like to see him get first shot at 12 if healthy. He is one that needs a big NPC campaign. Would help if he could stay healthy.

Just got official news on Josh Whaanga. It’s an MCL, expected 8 weeks recovery. Avoided the dreaded ACL which is awesome news.

@Landers92 said in Otago 2025:

@frugby said in Otago 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:
I'm expecting to see some plonker from outside Otago bought in at lock.

Could be headed the same way with our midfield again after the news that Josh Whaanga has injured his knee. Doesn’t sound too great at the moment.

At the moment it’s looking like TUJ, Gilbert could be asked to play there and a Josh Timu recall. Expect Joe Cooke to be around the squad again too.

Whaanga as you say is MCL - but I've heard he is gone for the season. Timu trained as a tackle bag holder with the ABs, so expect him to get named. With Te Hiwi & probably TUJ that should leave us reasonably covered in the first instance. Gilbert will probably be used as an outside back?

Wonder if Creighton is coming back.

@frugby said in Otago 2025:

@Landers92 said in Otago 2025:

@frugby said in Otago 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:
I'm expecting to see some plonker from outside Otago bought in at lock.

Could be headed the same way with our midfield again after the news that Josh Whaanga has injured his knee. Doesn’t sound too great at the moment.

At the moment it’s looking like TUJ, Gilbert could be asked to play there and a Josh Timu recall. Expect Joe Cooke to be around the squad again too.

Whaanga as you say is MCL - but I've heard he is gone for the season. Timu trained as a tackle bag holder with the ABs, so expect him to get named. With Te Hiwi & probably TUJ that should leave us reasonably covered in the first instance. Gilbert will probably be used as an outside back?

Wonder if Creighton is coming back.

He is out for 8 weeks. The goal is he will be back by the middle of the season

I'd treat Gilbert like a band-aid. Just go where the gaps are. Everywhere from 10 out. Spend most of the year in the 22 jersey

@SouthernMann For right or for wrong, I'd expect him to be captain which means he basically has to start. I suppose they might use him at 12 as a glue kind of guy.