Otago 2026

@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.

@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.

was this discussed and i missed it?

@Kiwiwomble Frugby had the scoop in the NPC thread

@Torian Last I heard there was absolutely no chance of that so I guess we will see

Otago have named their squad.

Interesting to see young Harry Irving in the squad. Don’t know much about him beyond he’s in the U20’s squad. For those in the know what’s he like as a player?

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.

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.

@handa457 Landers had no interest in him… once the contract came Pole wanted to take no risks in injury so isn’t playing club either - can’t blame the lad for securing his future.

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 that’s a suprise. Agree that you can’t fault him for securing his future. But given we had a space on our roster, a surprise we didn’t chase him. He’s a local lad, and would be a great squad option.

@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.

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2026:

@frugby said in Otago 2026:

Canterbury. That could be

Hopefully it is 14c and sunny Alexandra day. Not a 3c and snowy Alexandra day.

I could go a bob each way.

@SouthernMann Brock Reid was the standout player in the Harbour XV final last year will curious to see if he’s grown any taller as his dad Hamish is 6’6
That Kaikorai 8 goes pretty good

low scoring for a pre season game, dont think there is a stream anywhere

Comfortable 31 - 5 win for Otago.

Curious player has popped up down in Dunedin and was on the bench today.

Reimana Saunderson-Rurawhe seems he made the move down earlier this year and is in the academy. Is out of Westlake Boys. Had a runaround for North Harbour pre-season?

Any of the lads up north know much about him? Bit of talent to him? @steven-harris and @uptheharbs ?

@SouthernMann looks to have decent size and good feet. Not sure how quick he is by that clip

Reimana Saunderson-Rurawhe came through the U18 development pathway. He was in the 2024 Barbarians U18s (at centre) that included a number of the current NZ U20 players.

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2026:

Comfortable 31 - 5 win for Otago.

Curious player has popped up down in Dunedin and was on the bench today.

Reimana Saunderson-Rurawhe seems he made the move down earlier this year and is in the academy. Is out of Westlake Boys. Had a runaround for North Harbour pre-season?

Any of the lads up north know much about him? Bit of talent to him? @steven-harris and @uptheharbs ?

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Seen him play from his time at WBHS, yeah, very quick and excellent footwork, seemed to be well regarded up there.

random thought

i really love what Gilbert have done re kit for Otago...lots of cools things over the years....i hate how they only use renders of things in the online shop and not actual pictures