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.
@Kiwiwomble Frugby had the scoop in the NPC thread
Don't want Pledger anywhere near the field during the NPC. Even if he is 'ready'.
Selection at centre will be my focus. Mark Brown clearly likes Josh Timu and he did a good job for him there last year.
The Highlanders on the other hand will be very keen to seen both Jona Nareki and Josh Whaanga wearing the 13 jersey. Our only two contracted options at this stage. They both need to stake their claims over the next few months.
Who wins that jersey will reflect the alignmnet between franchise and province.
@SouthernMann bit telling that Tengblad has opted to go elsewhere aside from Otago. Wonder if that's got a bit to do with lack of alignment between highlanders and the Provence.
@handa457 said in Otago 2026:
@SouthernMann bit telling that Tengblad has opted to go elsewhere aside from Otago. Wonder if that's got a bit to do with lack of alignment between highlanders and the Provence.
Nah don't think so.
Just an Auckland kid wanting to play for his home province. Not too much to read into it. Gets to spend half the year where is family and og mates are.
7 days later
Kaikorai and Harbour will compete for the Dunddin Club Rugby banner next Saturday.
A repeat of last year's final.
Salu Ma'u is the anchor of Harbour's forward efforts. He just demos dudes at this level.
Harbour has a young and exciting backline. No rep guys. Just several lads a level under. Some big lads.
Kaikorai has Lucas Casey. He is joined in the loose by Slade McDowell and Gregor Rutledge.
Few exciting backs, especially Jake Hill, Jake Fowler and Charlie Breen. Ben Miller will run the cutter well at 10. He clash between him and Rique Milne will be key to deciding who wins the game.
Will be played at the stadium. The ODT will provide a live stream.
Otago plays Southland in a pre-season game the day before the final.
Marley Pearce has been signed for the season ahead. He will replace Abraham Pole who is no longer available due to his European contract.
@frugby said in Otago 2026:
Marley Pearce has been signed for the season ahead. He will replace Abraham Pole who is no longer available due to his European contract.
Rate that. Solid prop for the Force.
@Landers92 good signing. Shame to be losing Pole. Can’t fault the lad for going overseas. But do wish the landers had managed to nab him for another couple of years. At 27 was always going to be hard to convince him to stay though.
Great acquisition with Pearce. I do hope Ben Lopas can have a good season. I enjoy watching him go about his work.
Pole is not the sort of guy I would have wanted at the Landers. Good luck to him in Div 3 France.
@frugby said in Otago 2026:
Marley Pearce has been signed for the season ahead. He will replace Abraham Pole who is no longer available due to his European contract.
He’s been a good Fantasy pick the last couple years.
Hopefully we should see a full-strength side run out against Mid Canterbury next weekend.
Quite a few young lads included off the bench.
Ma'u, Timani, Casey, Lio-Willie, Lam, Millar, Pellegrini, Nareki, Hurley and Timu to come into the best 23.
Want to see that midfield combination persevered with.
@SouthernMann Poor old Mid-Canterbury. That could be a cricket score.
@frugby said in Otago 2026:
Canterbury. That could be
Hopefully it is 14c and sunny Alexandra day. Not a 3c and snowy Alexandra day.