Game more about testing combinations
A VERY greenlooking shadow Otago side will take to the field at Kettle Park tomorrow as the blue and golds take their first steps in the 2017 season.
The Sassenachs will face the Spartans from Southland in a game more to do with testing combinations and getting a game under the belt than the result.
With the club season being extended by one week, this game does not include any players from the four sides involved in the club semifinals this afternoon.
Players who are involved in Super Rugby are also unavailable so that leaves very few players from last year’s Otago side able to front.
Noone who played in the Mitre 10 Cup Championship final for Otago will front and, in the starting side, only lock Tom Rowe and No 8 Sione Teu have played for Otago.
Veteran hooker Peter Mirrielees is filling a spot on the bench but there are plenty of youngsters in team.
Sevens exponent Vilimoni Koroi will start at fullback and he is joined on the wing by AlhambraUnion teammate Jona Nareki. Irishman Ciaran Gaffney is on the right wing with youngsters Josh Timu and Matt Whaanga in the midfield.
Taylor Haugh, who has plenty of versatility in his game, will play in the No 10 jersey for the Sassenachs. Taieri youngster Josh Brown gets a chance on the openside flank.
ClydeEarnscleugh lock Keegan O’Donnell will get to fly the country flag and will partner Rowe in the locking positions.
The University side provides the front row.
Italian import Josh Furno will start off the bench and is expected to get some time on the field.
Southland had its club final last week and will field a few more firstclass players.
Former Dunedin club first fiveeighth Greg Dyer will line up for the Spartans team and inside him will be young halfback Liam Howley. Howley was one of the more promising halfbacks in the country but missed all of last season because of a knee injury.
Tupou Sopoaga, brother of Highlanders first fiveeighth Lima Sopoaga, will start at first fiveeighth for the side.
Former Highlanders winger Ryan Tongia has signed for Southland this season from French club rugby but he will not line up tomorrow.
Aleki Morris, who played for Harbour up until the middle of last year, will come off the bench for the Spartans.
Otago and Southland will meet in another preseason encounter in Gore on August 4.