Draw is out, and there are a few musings on the squad, so figured would give this its own thread.
The word in the ODT is we are looking at a halfback and lock out of Australia. Any guesses as to who that might be?
Pail Dwyer will be spot on.
He will know exactly who the players are as well. As he did in previous seasons with Hudson Creighton, Broomfield etc.
I have no issue with needing to bring someone in at halfback.
As it stands, we won't have any of the three who played last year available. Bob Martin came across after moving to Australia. He doesn't appear to be listed in the Taieri squad.
Oliver Thode and Brad Campbell stripped for Otago B last year. Even if a guy is recruited out of Australia, it is likely those two will probably fill the other available spots.
The homegrown lad some may say we have missed out on is Jackson Haughan. The ranga out of Otago Boys who has moved to Southland and made NZ U20s. The Union probably had Dylan Pledger blinkers on with him. He then threw his lot in with Southland. Which can't be a bad thing to have good diatribution of talent across the two provinces.
At lock. No Tucker, no Holland, unsure about Timani. A big gap. Christian MacEwan, who attended NZ U20s camps last year has also left Dunedin. Out of club footy we are left with Mitch Tinnock, Reuben Palmer and Eric Peita. Not a lot, options wise.
Think someone on here has mentioned Jacomb potentially moving to Dunedin. That'd be a great get. Personally, I'd love it. Have a strong dislike for the Naki.
In summary, no idea who they could be. But they are desperately needed.
Old Boys University lock / 6 and former Scots College captain and NZ U20s player Harry Irving to Otago later this year.
Irving is more of a 6 at senior level. I thought Peita had potential based on his performances at the U20 tournament a few years back.
BTW, Christian MacEwan also played at 6 for Hamilton Old Boys on the weekend.
9 days later
Couple of tidbits from Paul Dwyer in the ODT
Otago head coach “Brownie” has been busy as well and possibly could have signed Moana Pasifika halfback Joel Lam out of Canterbury — pretty astute if he has. They also could have signed a Western Force lock originally out of New Zealand as well — more soon.
Lam would be a smart acquisition. Not sure who the Force lock would be.
@SouthernMann said in Otago 2026:
Couple of tidbits from Paul Dwyer in the ODT
Otago head coach “Brownie” has been busy as well and possibly could have signed Moana Pasifika halfback Joel Lam out of Canterbury — pretty astute if he has. They also could have signed a Western Force lock originally out of New Zealand as well — more soon.
Lam would be a smart acquisition. Not sure who the Force lock would be.
Lopeti Faifua?
@SouthernMann said in Otago 2026:
Couple of tidbits from Paul Dwyer in the ODT
Otago head coach “Brownie” has been busy as well and possibly could have signed Moana Pasifika halfback Joel Lam out of Canterbury — pretty astute if he has. They also could have signed a Western Force lock originally out of New Zealand as well — more soon.
Lam would be a smart acquisition. Not sure who the Force lock would be.
Lol Jeremy Thrush 
@SouthernMann Felix Kalapu?
1 month later
Nic Souchon will be turning out for Otago this year.
I see Otago missing the eight this year.
Australasian battler Sef Fa'agasi heading to Southland.
@SouthernMann I don’t. Outside of maybe losing one of those loose forwards to the All Blacks it’s the same pack who were utterly dominant last year.
Few question marks about the backline, and Pledger is a loss, but would be quite the fall to drop out the eight altogether.
@SouthernMann I don’t. Outside of maybe losing one of those loose forwards to the All Blacks it’s the same pack who were utterly dominant last year.
Few question marks about the backline, and Pledger is a loss, but would be quite the fall to drop out the eight altogether.
Last year Wellington went from first in 2024 to 10th in 2025.
One or two star players drive results.
Pledger is the loss. He drove the attack and played a leading role in about 25 tries last year.
Without him, we don't have an attacking leader.
@SouthernMann Wellington lost multiple players from the year before though.
You take Pledger out that side, and so long as you don't lose both Casey and Lio-Wilie, I still think they are good enough to be in the 8. I hear the majority are back from last year... lock (god help us after the Super season) may prove to be a bigger issue than halfback.
Probably better suited to the Otago thread but in response to @frugby Tengblad will be out with his knee injury but hopefully we get Tomani back to fill a lock spot. He is off contract with the Drua as well. Hopefully Will Tucker is floating around for another NPC season.
Heard from a reliable source that the Joel Lam to Otago stuff is legit so you would think with Pledger out he has a pretty clear run to start the season at halfback.
@SouthernMann said in NPC 2026:
@SouthernMann I don’t. Outside of maybe losing one of those loose forwards to the All Blacks it’s the same pack who were utterly dominant last year.
Few question marks about the backline, and Pledger is a loss, but would be quite the fall to drop out the eight altogether.
Last year Wellington went from first in 2024 to 10th in 2025.
One or two star players drive results.
Pledger is the loss. He drove the attack and played a leading role in about 25 tries last year.
Without him, we don't have an attacking leader.
Players moving onto higher honours was probably a key reason for that (Aumua, Lakai, Kirifi, Preston, Love and Proctor). Wellington are really going to struggle this year as well, unless they can get a raft of players back from Japan.
Outside of Numia, Lauaki, Plummer, Delany, Shields, Harkin and Solomon in the outsides, I can't even name a team right now when you consider Higgins is already out injured. Assuming Aumua, Lakai, Kirifi, Preston, Love, Proctor and obviously ASav will be ABs, and the potential of Numia and Harkin following suit, Wellington could be battling hard this year.
@Landers92 Tucker is out injured unfortunately - but he is coming back to coach the lineout.
@Landers92 said in Otago 2026:
Probably better suited to the Otago thread but in response to @frugby Tengblad will be out with his knee injury but hopefully we get Tomani back to fill a lock spot. He is off contract with the Drua as well. Hopefully Will Tucker is floating around for another NPC season.
Heard from a reliable source that the Joel Lam to Otago stuff is legit so you would think with Pledger out he has a pretty clear run to start the season at halfback.
Not sure if it is common knowledge down there or not but Cody Lokotui who was in the Wellington squad last season is now plying his trade with Harbour in Club rugby. Still young but a rather promising lock/blindside worth keeping an eye on, came through the Canterbury academy system so must have something going for him simply because of that.
ODT Rugby Chat with Mark Brown.
Nic Souchon is the fourth hooker.
Joel Lam was signed with Otago in December.
Jermaine Ainsley - no room for him at Otago.
@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2026:
listening now, no room?
Saula Ma'u and Wingham already contracted.
Takataka as a third tighthead.
@SouthernMann i guess it makes sense, part of me says you find a spot for a front rower of that level if theyre knocking aorund
@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2026:
@SouthernMann i guess it makes sense, part of me says you find a spot for a front rower of that level if theyre knocking aorund
Even to Southland. Who have nabbed Sef Fa'agase from the Western Force.
Ideally we would have had room. Ma'u and Wingham are quality players at this level and there is only a certain amount you can spend.
@Grooter how are the centre pairing of Te Hiwi and Whannga going? Still have a soft spot for Te Hiwi and hope he can string some performances together
@jimmyb said in Otago 2026:
@Grooter how are the centre pairing of Te Hiwi and Whannga going? Still have a soft spot for Te Hiwi and hope he can string some performances together
They have looked like peofessional rugby players in a game where the majority aren't.
Te Hiwi threw one nice offload. Whaanga is looking quite a lot bigger. I'd say he is now well over 100kg.
46 - 14 final score.
Props were industrious around the field. Harry Irving looks a decent pick up from Wellington at lock.
In the backs. Jake Te Hiwi was probably best on field. Generally very tidy. He even bet someone on the outside.
Whaanga is a lot bigger than previous seasons. He had a strong run.
Riley Lucas, normally a midfielder, played on the wing. Liked what he had to offer. Charlie Breen, might not be a fullback at provincial level. Especially with his inability to kick. Might be more suited to the wing. Added a fair bit of spark.
Rique Miln does what Cam Millar doesn't do and can't do what Cam Millar can do.
11 days later
Dunedin club rugby top six match ups.
Highlanders coming into these squads will sway some of the match ups.
Lucas Casey scored three tries for Kaikorai yesterday. He is ab absolute beast at this level. He is joined by Slade McDowell in the loosies. Highly unlikely given he is generally Chch based, but Christian Lio-Willie is also affiliated to the club. Henry Bell adds some punch to the front row.
Taieri has Joel Lam, Cam Millar and the Whaanga boys in the midfield.
Uni has Will Stodart up front. Jay Reihana who missed out on U20s selection is popping up either in the midfield or on the wing.
Green Island can rolle out a fairly stacked side. With Oli Haig, Finn Hurley, Jake Te Hiwi, Riley Lucas andSam Nemac-Vial.
Harbour has a lot of strength across the board. Big boys running hard. The best two props in club footy in Abraham Pole and Salu Ma'u.
Southern. Will probably has the least disruption in terms of Otago guys coming in. Will be relying on Mackenzie Palmer. Who is an absolute speckie at club level.
I'd like to see a Kaik v Green Island final.
I think it is scheduled for the same day as the Otago v Southland game in Riverton.
@SouthernMann I think that game in Riverton is on a Friday. Still a stitch up for those with a potential final a day later.
While I’m here, it’s a 2 year deal for Joel Lam with Otago. He is signed through 2027. Nothing in the works with the Highlanders yet, “wait and see”.
@Landers92 Absolute reeks of a WTG contract I reckon.
@Landers92 said in Otago 2026:
@SouthernMann I think that game in Riverton is on a Friday. Still a stitch up for those with a potential final a day later.
While I’m here, it’s a 2 year deal for Joel Lam with Otago. He is signed through 2027. Nothing in the works with the Highlanders yet, “wait and see”.
From listening to Finn Hurley in the commentary of the Otago v North Otago game. Players affiliated to the teams in the final get to prioritise the club game.
Good story out of the Southland Tribune that Jona Nareki almost left Otago to play for Southland.
Second story down
@SouthernMann Tells you how bad things were under Donnelly.