Otago 2026

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

Not awful. Should be a good day on the Molyneux Park embankment.

@smudge said in Otago 2026:

View image

Not awful. Should be a good day on the Molyneux Park embankment.

Forecast is looking perfect for the roast of the day at The Stadium Tav, washing it down with a jug of speights before wandering along for kick off

Paul Dwyer yarns to coach Brown previewing the season and the Shield challenge today. Mentions a few guys who will probably be getting chances during the year. Explains why the Aussie prop came over. Indicates this is probably close to the top team, except for Lam Stodart and Pellegrini.

Has Lio-Willie had the shoulder tap?

Stream available here

Otago up 43 - 0 at halftime.

Te Hiwi probably best for Otago. Pack has just marched over Mid-Canterbury.

Holland has been busy. Mid-Canterbury kept throwing to the front and he picked them off.

The biggest ah fuck moment was Finn Hurley coming off after 30 minutes.

71 - 14 with about 10 to play.

Finn Hurley was on limited minutes. Just did 30.

@southernmann the first 60mins looked pretty good. It is mid Canterbury but they looked organised and direct.

Even if you take CLW and Holland (and rumour has it Casey), Otago still have a pack that can dominate physically along with a fairly slick backline.

CLW was ill so nothing to do with the ABs.

@jimmyb said in Otago 2026:

@southernmann the first 60mins looked pretty good. It is mid Canterbury but they looked organised and direct.

Even if you take CLW and Holland (and rumour has it Casey), Otago still have a pack that can dominate physically along with a fairly slick backline.

Considering the injuries Southland has at the moment, Stag Day could be a tough one for them next Saturday.

The pack is very good. We will probably need to run some mid-sized locks with Timani, Stodart and Irving. Would still back them to win most of their ball. Have a moster of a lad with Mitch Tinnock in the wider squad though.

I reckon we will probably hold onto CLW and Casey. As much as I'd be happy for them to tour.

Our front row should be as good as any at this level. Probably only superseded by what Canterbury might roll out.

The mix of Lam, Mclea, Millar and Pellegrini will be a strong mix in the insides. There is no replacement for Dylan Pledger, however, considering the timing of Lam's signing I think Otago was expecting to be without Pledger anyway this season. Even prior to his injury. Just on Pledger, even if he is ready come the later rounds, I don't want him playing. He returns, there would be pressure to have him tour with the ABs or AB XV. Just have him ready to tear into Super 2027.

As I habe mentioned, despite being with Otago and the Highlanders for four years. This will be Te Hiwi's first campaign as a starting 12. I've got a soft spot for the guy. Hoping he can prove some people wrong and have a strong season. I reckon Nareki might end up forcing his way into the 13 jersey. Which could be good for the Highlanders and bad for Josh Whaanga.

If we are to go far in this competition we need a good injury free run from Finn Hurley. Everyone knows the kid is dynamite. Time for him to turn up and be the best player in the competition. The clash between him and Hutchinson (if he is ready to go) in round two will be a ripper.

Hopefully we can keep the momentum up. I will scratch my initial prediction of us potentially missing the top 8 and have us finishing in the top four.