Otago 2025

@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.

comparing a craft beer to mass produced is just coming across desperate for a win :winking_face:

@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2025:

comparing a craft beer to mass produced is just coming across desperate for a win :winking_face:

lucky Waikato is a craft beer then

This could allow Cam Millar, the man from Gore, to return to his home province

@Trig said in Otago 2025:

This could allow Cam Millar, the man from Gore, to return to his home province

Great for the development of Muliaina.

Millar kicking a shade under 85% this season (61/72)

Has kicked 20 of his last 22. Makes a huge difference. So chuffed to see him playing great rugby.

@frugby not only kicking his goal kicking, he’s setting up tries and actually controlling the game this season. He’s taken some serious steps ahead this year. Absolutely stoked for the guy.

He’s had a lot of responsibility put on his shoulders the last 2/3 years for such a young guy, add to that a couple serious injuries so it’s nice to see him come through that and show positives signs. Still only 23 years old as well.

@Landers92 He is one of the most obvious confidence players I have seen.

Easy to forget he has shown flashes of this in the past… he has just got better and better week on week this campaign. ONE TO GO!

I've been impressed with Miller this NPC, but I find his haircut to be as awful as the mullets, rat tails, and whatever Fakatava used to do to his hair. Rocking the Mehrts 1995 bowl cut in 2025 is a deliberate choice, and not a good one.

Am I correct in thinking that Otago will be without CLW and Bower and Cantab will be without Darry and Bell?

@jimmyb said in Otago 2025:

Am I correct in thinking that Otago will be without CLW and Bower and Cantab will be without Darry and Bell?

Think the AB XV players will still be available. Canterbury should be without Darry and Bell. Still having its AB XV players. Same with us and Lio-Willie.

On Millar. He had his best attacking game I have ever seen. Still to me he does lack quite a bit in that area. The next couple of years will be interesting especially with JJ clearly see his team having a future with Jacomb in the driver's seat.

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:

@jimmyb said in Otago 2025:

Am I correct in thinking that Otago will be without CLW and Bower and Cantab will be without Darry and Bell?

Think the AB XV players will still be available. Canterbury should be without Darry and Bell. Still having its AB XV players. Same with us and Lio-Willie.

On Millar. He had his best attacking game I have ever seen. Still to me he does lack quite a bit in that area. The next couple of years will be interesting especially with JJ clearly see his team having a future with Jacomb in the driver's seat.

Millars confidence looked completely fried after what was a v good 2024 NPC season.I don’t think JJ managed him (or many players for that matter) well at all in 2025.

Hopefully he can steadily impose himself in the next season. If JJ is under the impression that Jacomb will fix the short comings of the attack, I think we’ll be in trouble. Having Pledger at 9 will significantly help.

If Millar can put on 5-7kgs on, which should be incredibly easy, he’ll fix his biggest issue

@jimmyb said in Otago 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:

@jimmyb said in Otago 2025:

Am I correct in thinking that Otago will be without CLW and Bower and Cantab will be without Darry and Bell?

Think the AB XV players will still be available. Canterbury should be without Darry and Bell. Still having its AB XV players. Same with us and Lio-Willie.

On Millar. He had his best attacking game I have ever seen. Still to me he does lack quite a bit in that area. The next couple of years will be interesting especially with JJ clearly see his team having a future with Jacomb in the driver's seat.

Millars confidence looked completely fried after what was a v good 2024 NPC season.I don’t think JJ managed him (or many players for that matter) well at all in 2025.

Hopefully he can steadily impose himself in the next season. If JJ is under the impression that Jacomb will fix the short comings of the attack, I think we’ll be in trouble. Having Pledger at 9 will significantly help.

If Millar can put on 5-7kgs on, which should be incredibly easy, he’ll fix his biggest issue

A big issue was we ran certain players into the ground. They got injured and the step down was significant. Whether Otago/Highlanders like it or not. JJ is building his side around Jacomb. What that means for Millar who knows.

Millar's big issues are his size, being competitive in contact, struggling under the high ball and continuing to develop his attack. He will never be a Dmac, Mo'unga, Barrett or Carter. He is a very steady kicker though. It certainly helps having a rockstar playing at nine.

Sounds like Hurley should be fine for next weekend. His acceleration is such an asset.

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:

@jimmyb said in Otago 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:

@jimmyb said in Otago 2025:

Am I correct in thinking that Otago will be without CLW and Bower and Cantab will be without Darry and Bell?

Think the AB XV players will still be available. Canterbury should be without Darry and Bell. Still having its AB XV players. Same with us and Lio-Willie.

On Millar. He had his best attacking game I have ever seen. Still to me he does lack quite a bit in that area. The next couple of years will be interesting especially with JJ clearly see his team having a future with Jacomb in the driver's seat.

Millars confidence looked completely fried after what was a v good 2024 NPC season.I don’t think JJ managed him (or many players for that matter) well at all in 2025.

Hopefully he can steadily impose himself in the next season. If JJ is under the impression that Jacomb will fix the short comings of the attack, I think we’ll be in trouble. Having Pledger at 9 will significantly help.

If Millar can put on 5-7kgs on, which should be incredibly easy, he’ll fix his biggest issue

A big issue was we ran certain players into the ground. They got injured and the step down was significant. Whether Otago/Highlanders like it or not. JJ is bading his side around Jacomb. What that means for Millar who knows.

Mark brown refers to Cam as his General. it would be quite awkward if Jacomb doesn't make the big touring group of South Africa next year, a good awkward I suppose

@Grooter said in Otago 2025:

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

With a name like Cam(eron)? And Millar, a miller, a vocation with an association to Glasgow? No way!

How could anyone think that name is Scottish!