Otago 2025

@jimmyb I think Millar is playing to his level of capability. It is just that some fans thought he was going to be better than that.

He was always a 10 focused around kicking, with a decent flat pass. Is not an attacking threat outside of that. Never has been. His tries have come from intercepts and running support lines. He lacks the strength in contact that others have and is a bit of a liability under the highball.

Where he seems to have regressed is with his goal kicking and general play. We have been lucky that Pledger has come in and become the primary playmaker. He plays a role in so many of our tries.

@SouthernMann I can see both sides of the coin, and I’m not convinced about this being his upper limit.

While I agree with all your points about strengths and weaknesses, they were all true two to three seasons ago. Good coaches and players both work on improving and plan to mitigate these.

To me, he’s a player who came on the scene with exceptional game management and kicking from a young age. Yet he hasn’t grown his game and seems to have plateaued in the core areas that were once his strengths.

That puzzles me, because based on his performances for Otago—and even in 2024—you’d have been forgiven for thinking he had a very high ceiling.

That’s not just my opinion. Apparently Razor was really keeping an eye on him last year, and if you watched the way he played during that string of games at the end of 2024, there was good reason to believe he was going places.

To me, it feels like he’s lost confidence, been mismanaged, and hasn’t really worked on things like his running game and strength in contact to improve.

i kind of think millar fits whats we're doing, he's got a combo of potential firecrackers like nareki....and some enthusiastic youth...and irratic journymen all around him....a steady hand that will kick for territory, generally good kicking % and solid distribution fills things out nicely

watching the game on friday the thing that stood out is the confidence in themselves and each other, guys were having cracks...and supporting others having cracks...so when someone may a half break there was almost always someone on their shoulder to secure the ball if not carry things on. add to that the general skill level seems that little bit better, more 50/50 balls going to hand than not

winning more games than we loose would be amazing

just saw this on the socials, one that slipped through? or had ties up north? curious

Left at the end of 2023. Played for Kaik.

I mentioned that he was an unknown to me when the Waikato squad was announced. Marsh played last year for Thames Valley.

@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2025:

just saw this on the socials, one that slipped through? or had ties up north? curious

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Behind Hammington, Arscott & Hastie.

@frugby i admit i wasn;t sure what position he played, that tells me everything

good for him though

Highly likely he left because he finished his degree. Like most other young people. Finished at the end of 2023. Grad gig at the beginning of 2024. Not everything is about footy.

Looks like I'm no longer locked out lol anyways just so pleased with Otago this season. Mark brown seems a good coach, something as simple as playing Will Stodart in his natural position of loose forward rather than lock just is logical, loving that Nareki is having an injury free run (hope I haven't jinxed him) Pledger and Millar a halves combo that are flourishing, Lio-Willie a big loss this weekend however Trust this team to give a good account of themselves

Re watched the game and it really stood out that every player 1-23 played well and most importantly, fulfilled the role of their position. The team looked incredibly balanced.

What I think was underrated was how well the high ball went. Nemek-Val, Millar, and Broomfield won every ball that was kicked to them.

High hopes play off time

From the Bunnings Provincial Rugby FB page:

@Bovidae said in Otago 2025:

From the Bunnings Provincial Rugby FB page:

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The tangible benefits for any player spending time in a decent 7s programme

He'd be a good 2nd Five.

Some bad news everyone.

Stoddard received his second head knock of the season and is being monitored

Tucker,, Casey, Nareki, Timu, Bell all have injures of various severity. Bell and Timu are out for the season

@jimmyb poor timu. Bloke is made of glass. Hoped he'd finally gotten over his run of injuries, and frankly wouldn't have minded seeing him back in the mix for Landers WTG next season

@jimmyb said in Otago 2025:

Some bad news everyone.

Stoddard received his second head knock of the season and is being monitored

Tucker,, Casey, Nareki, Timu, Bell all have injures of various severity. Bell and Timu are out for the season

Hard for those guys.

Jeez that puts us in a really shitty position at centre. Doesn't seem like Te Hiwi is available again? A few options. We could move Gilbert to 12, TUJ to 13 and SNV to fullback. Broomfield to centre and SNV to 14.

While I can be critical of Henry Bell he has been solid for Otago. We do now get an opportunity to see A One Lolofie.

Just rest the guys this weekend if they aren't fully fit.

Should potentially see Fischli, Tengblad and one of the other back up wingers come in.

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:

@jimmyb said in Otago 2025:

Some bad news everyone.

Stoddard received his second head knock of the season and is being monitored

Tucker,, Casey, Nareki, Timu, Bell all have injures of various severity. Bell and Timu are out for the season

Hard for those guys.

Jeez that puts us in a really shitty position at centre. Doesn't seem like Te Hiwi is available again? A few options. We could move Gilbert to 12, TUJ to 13 and SNV to fullback. Broomfield to centre and SNV to 14.

While I can be critical of Henry Bell he has been solid for Otago. We do now get an opportunity to see A One Lolofie.

Just rest the guys this weekend if they aren't fully fit.

Should potentially see Fischli, Tengblad and one of the other back up wingers come in.

Te Hiwi is a few weeks away I think. Updates is (though all ofc subject to change):
Stoddard: 21 days for the concussion I think
Casey: 1–2 matches
Nareki: 1 match
Tucker: a niggly, on the bench this weekend

@jimmyb reliable source? Tucker is named to start and Otago have posted their ‘unavailable due to injury list’ and neither Casey or Nareki are in that list. Stodart and Bell are though.

@Landers92 said in Otago 2025:

@jimmyb reliable source? Tucker is named to start and Otago have posted their ‘unavailable due to injury list’ and neither Casey or Nareki are in that list. Stodart and Bell are though.

Tucker is carrying a niggly and yes the source has repeatedly told me correct info

According to ODT.

12 day HIA protocol for Stodart. Should be fine for next week.

Broken Collarbone for Henry Bell so he’s gone for the season.

Timu and Casey have niggles so have been rested but could have played if needed.

Nareki rested.

@Landers92 said in Otago 2025:

According to ODT.

12 day HIA protocol for Stodart. Should be fine for next week.

Broken Collarbone for Henry Bell so he’s gone for the season.

Timu and Casey have niggles so have been rested but could have played if needed.

Nareki rested.

May have got some Chinese whispers with mine. Good that Timu isn’t out for the season thank god

That was as good a night as I can remember at Forsyth Barr. Special team this one, and so easy to support - we play a great brand of rugby.

Looked like the crowd flooded in late. Seemed a fantastic atmosphere. Hoping another 2 - 3 k turn up next week. The Otago bean counters will be loving the these late season home crowds.

Mark Brown must have been nervous after taking his three best players off and watching the lead vanish in the last 10.

Hopefully TUJ's hammy is ok for next week and we can get ourselves into a final in two weeks time.

Has been a good ride. Always thought the team was heading for a year like this, it was just a matter of when. Has been a very young group for some time now.

I hope Tom Donnelly is enjoying watching the success.

@SouthernMann too many coaches (NZ ones that I notice anyway) seem to have thier predetermined subs, often missing the feel or game situation.

I mean last night, almost messed it up saving some players for a next week that almost didn't happen, luckily it did.

@SouthernMann 5k plus in attendance they reported after the game.

Even if we lose next weekend I won’t be too mad. There has been major improvement across the board and that’s all we’ve been asking for.

Here’s hoping the good run continues.

@taniwharugby said in Otago 2025:

@SouthernMann too many coaches (NZ ones that I notice anyway) seem to have thier predetermined subs, often missing the feel or game situation.

I mean last night, almost messed it up saving some players for a next week that almost didn't happen, luckily it did.

I thought that too taniwha, was saying to Mrs that perhaps Brown has been a bit quick with some subs. Though can see both sides, I guess you have to keep them with game feel etc ,in case they needed next week.

@Landers92 said in Otago 2025:

@SouthernMann 5k plus in attendance they reported after the game.

Even if we lose next weekend I won’t be too mad. There has been major improvement across the board and that’s all we’ve been asking for.

Here’s hoping the good run continues.

Yeah she that attendance. Would be awesome to see 7 - 9k. Will really help the membership drive for the Landers as well. If we are playing the winner out of today. There isn't anything that looks too scary.

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:

@Landers92 said in Otago 2025:

@SouthernMann 5k plus in attendance they reported after the game.

Even if we lose next weekend I won’t be too mad. There has been major improvement across the board and that’s all we’ve been asking for.

Here’s hoping the good run continues.

Yeah she that attendance. Would be awesome to see 7 - 9k. Will really help the membership drive for the Landers as well. If we are playing the winner out of today. There isn't anything that looks too scary.

It would be great to see over 10k people. The students are currently sitting exams from memory. Surely it’s an easy sell to say have a two our break and watch some rugby

I have heard Josh Jacomb has signed for Otago for the 2026 NPC..

@Chris always good Info from you Chris cheers, makes me think Cam Millar might have a Welsh or Scottish granny lol

@Chris said in Otago 2025:

I have heard Josh Jacomb has signed for Otago for the 2026 NPC..

From a family perspective for him it makes sense. It would give him, partner and kids a year round base. Instead of having to split it between NP and Hamilton. Or NP and Dunedin.

@Chris said in Otago 2025:

I have heard Josh Jacomb has signed for Otago for the 2026 NPC..

good oil?

@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2025:

@Chris said in Otago 2025:

I have heard Josh Jacomb has signed for Otago for the 2026 NPC..

good oil?

Yep

fingers crossed

Millar has obviouslt had a great season but one injury would have derailed things, Gilbert has done well at 15 i think and jamming him back at 10 might not have been pretty....some depth at 10 would be good

This will not make Taranaki's biggest fan @Dan54 happy...

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:

This will not make Taranaki's biggest fan @Dan54 happy...

Nor I.
This is bullshit. What's he thinking? Shining Peak, or... Speights.
"Representative rugby" - pfft.

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:

This will not make Taranaki's biggest fan @Dan54 happy...

You are right it wouldn't SM, though I would be surpised. I hope someone has got confused with his Highlanders gig. Not sure how Otago could afford him with Millar being there, both players must be prem players payments at NPC level.

And as Kruse rightfully points out Shining Peak is a better brew than Speights!

@Dan54 said in Otago 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:

This will not make Taranaki's biggest fan @Dan54 happy...

You are right it wouldn't SM, though I would be surpised. I hope someone has got confused with his Highlanders gig. Not sure how Otago could afford him with Millar being there, both players must be prem players payments at NPC level.

And as Kruse rightfully points out Shining Peak is a better brew than Speights!

Emersons is better than Shining Peak though.

I doubt it is a cost thing.

Will be about lifestyle and limiting impact on the family. Two kids in daycare. Keep them in the same one. Don't shift between islands.