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
14 days later
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
@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.
@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 .
@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.
12 days later
@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.
@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.
