Experienced duo back in starting side
OTAGO has brought back a couple of its most experienced players into the starting lineup for the big dance tomorrow night.
Hooker Liam Coltman and flanker James Lentjes come into the starting side to take on Waikato in the Mitre 10 Cup championship final tomorrow night.
The duo replace Sekonaia Pole and Slade McDowall, who move to the bench.
Midfield back Matt Whaanga has recovered from a foot liga
ment injury, and takes his place in the reserves.
Coach Ben Herring is again going with six forwards on the reserves bench.
Otago has the advantage of having plenty of versatile backs on the field, so it can get away with having just
the two reserves.
The experience of Coltman and Lentjes will be vital in a final, which often comes down to key moments and smart moves.
Herring said Coltman and Lentjes closed the game out very well last week, and it was decided to start the duo on Friday night.
It was tough on flanker McDowall, who has had an exceptional season and was in fine form against Waikato in the Ranfurly Shield win.
Kaikorai prop Jonah Aoina has come into the starting team in recent weeks and impressed.
It has been some rise for Aoina, who started the season as the third choice loosehead prop in the team. But with Aki Seiuli felled by a serious knee injury and Tom Hill failing to make the most of his chance, Aoina has come into the first choice XV and played well.
On the other side of the scrum Hisa Sasagi also continues to start for Otago, and has been strong at scrum time and also getting around the field.
Giorgio Bower has been the backup tighthead prop for the past couple of games, with Donald Brighouse not selected.
It is tough for Brighouse, as he is on 49 games for the province, but Herring said Bower had to be rewarded for his fine form.
Otago has had a couple of short and sharp training sessions this week as it balances preparation and getting bodies right.
There were some tired and sore players after the rugged semifinal against Hawke’s Bay last week, but Herring said the players were naturally enough very keen to play in the final.
Midfield back Sio Tomkinson injured a knee last week against Hawke’s Bay, but he has come through all right and will start tomorrow night.
Winger Mitchell Scott had picked up some knocks over the season, but has again fronted for the match.
Waikato will finalise its team today but one weapon it has at its disposal tomorrow night will be gun winger Sevu Reece.
Reece did not play against Otago in the Ranfurly Shield match as he was stood down by the Waikato union following a court appearance on a charge of assaulting a female.
He was not convicted on the charge.
Reece is a dynamic player and scored four tries for Waikato in the semifinal win over Northland.
TOKYO: The Wallabies’ stirring comeback win over Argentina and uncertainty around Michael Cheika’s team selection have the All Blacks wary heading into Saturday’s final Bledisloe Cup clash of the year.
While the world champions have already locked up the prized piece of silverware for a 16th straight year, the opportunity to set pointscoring records in a series clean sweep is driving the All Blacks to deliver once again in Japan.
Fiveeighth Beauden Barrett says the All Blacks are preparing for a Wallabies outfit riding a new wave of confidence after fighting back from 317 down to defeat the Pumas this month in Salta to avoid the Rugby Championship wooden spoon.
‘‘We always get a confident Australia, there is no doubt about that. It is probably more that they have realised a bit of belief that may have been missing,’’ Barrett said in Tokyo.
‘‘It was a great comeback and we have to acknowledge that and we are aware that they can play a good attacking game of footy.’’
Veteran halfback Will Genia, one of only three survivors from New Zealand’s victory over Australia in the 2009 Bledisloe encounter played in the Japanese capital, said the Wallabies’ main focus had been on improving a somewhat flaky defence.
The Wallabies hoped to slow the All Blacks’ relentless attack at Yokohama’s Nissan Stadium, the venue for next year’s World Cup final.
The plan was not to allow them ‘‘to play so quickly, whether it’s off quick lineout throws or quick taps. Playing at the pace that they want to play at’’, Genia said.
‘‘As an example, kicking the ball and we put it out, making sure we chase and don’t give them the opportunity to play the quick lineout.
‘‘Also getting set quickly in the lineout so they don’t play at the pace they want, getting the jumper up quickly.
‘‘Just managing the pace and tempo of the game and playing it in a way we want to play.
‘‘They’re going to get the momentum, they’re going to play at that tempo, but [we have to make] sure we have the opportunity to control the game in that sense as well.’’
Both Cheika and All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will name their teams today.
A Barrett is open to the idea of a sabbatical in Japan as he and other leading All Blacks eye lucrative offshore moves following next year’s World Cup.
Barrett and worldclass locks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick are among those reportedly considering club contracts or simply requesting a break before targeting a return to New Zealand before the 2023 World Cup in France.
New Zealand Rugby has previously granted sabbatical clauses in the contracts of its premier players.
Dan Carter had a lucrative French experience in 2008 while Richie McCaw simply took six months off in 2013, a move he said extended his career.
Japan is being seen by NZR as a preferred destination for its players, primarily because it is not as physically demanding as club rugby in Europe.
Several players just below All Blacks level are now on shortterm Japanese deals and will return for next year’s Super Rugby season.
Twotime world player of the year Barrett was upbeat about the prospect of beginning his next Kiwi contract with a taste of life and rugby in Asia.
‘‘There is a lot to like about Japan,’’ he told journalists in Tokyo.
‘‘What I can say is there is good open communication with the coaches, my management and NZR and I am happy that at the right time I will make the right decision.’’
Top players may be awaiting details of how the Japan Rugby Union structures its 2020 calendar.
The World Cup is likely to push the start of the Top League back to January, meaning there could be two condensed club seasons in the same year.
Top All Blacks could command big money on a twoseason deal, something NZR chief negotiator Chris Lendrum said agents had become aware of. — AAP