Otago’s first Shield defence in Wanaka
OTAGO’S first defence of the Ranfurly Shield will take place in Wanaka against Thames Valley.
Otago won the log o’ wood off Waikato at the end of last season and has had the trophy safely wrapped up over the summer.
It will get its first airing on July 13 when Otago takes on Thames Valley at the Wanaka Showgrounds.
The kickoff time will be confirmed at a later date.
The Otago union has five mandatory defences against Mitre 10 Cup teams and also has to have a minimum of another two defences.
As Thames Valley won the Meads Cup in the Heartland Championship last season it has the right to challenge for the shield.
The Otago side has played in
Alexandra,
Queenstown and Balclutha in recent years and will now tick off Wanaka on the bucket list.
Depending on how far Super Rugby sides go in the playoffs, players from that competition could be available for the preseason fixtures.
Upper Clutha has always been a strong club in the Wanaka area and won the Central Otago title last year.
The side intends to field two teams this season.
Upper Clutha club captain Nathan Simon said the Upper Clutha Rugby Football Club felt privileged to be able to host such a prestigious event in the heart of Central Otago and had the opportunity to showcase our new clubrooms under construction.
Otago Rugby general manager Richard Kinley said the decision to play in Wanaka was a chance to go to another town in the district that supported Otago.
‘‘Playing at Wanaka is going to be an exciting occasion and is another fantastic opportunity to take the Otago team to a country venue, having played games over recent years at Alexandra, Queenstown and Balclutha,’’ he said.
‘‘Otago teams have always received very strong country support, with lots of rural fans travelling to Dunedin to support the team.’’
The other preseason challenge will be against neighbour North Otago.
There had been various suggestions for the location of this game including Waikouaiti, Maheno and Dunedin.
The date and location of the game is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Otago’s other defences are against Southland, Canterbury, Manawatu, Waikato and Taranaki.
THE Cherry Blossoms are not planning on being pushed around during the World Cup later this year.
And to make sure they stay on their feet and in the tournament longer, the Japanese have secured the services of a Dunedin jiu jitsu expert to help give them a fighting edge.
Fight and Fitness director Ryan Henry will travel to Japan later this week for a 10day training camp.
Henry’s brief is to improve the team’s flexibility and to provide them with the skills they need to succeed in the rugby melees.
Basically, if you are on the ground you are out of the game.
‘‘It is about transferring jiu jitsu drills into flexibility, mobility and speed off the ground and controlling those [collisions],’’ Henry said.
It is not the first time the 41yearold has been asked to help.
He got his latest callup from former Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph, who now coaches Japan. The pair worked together during Joseph’s sixyear stint with the Highlanders.
That relationship produced one Super Rugby title and now Joseph is leaning on that connection again.
Japan was the surprise package at the 2015 World Cup. The team registered three wins in pool play, including a shock 3432 win against South Africa. But it missed out on a quarterfinal slot, something it will be hoping to change on home soil.
‘‘This is actually my 10th year working with rugby teams. I started with the Highlanders in 2009 and am still doing bits and pieces with them now.’’
It will be the first time Henry has worked with an international team and he described it as a wonderful opportunity.
‘‘That is what is exciting for me — just getting that first international gig and it is a big gig because Japan are hosting the Rugby World Cup.
‘‘I’m hoping it will lead to more work.’’
It will be Henry’s first trip to Japan. He flies into Tokyo on Monday and the training camp gets under way on Okinawa Island the following day.
‘‘I was looking at my phone trying to learn a few words. But by the time I’d moved on to the next word I’d already forgotten the last one.’’
He has not forgotten how to put a rugby team through the ringer, though. He has been planning the sessions since Christmas, so the Japanese can expect plenty of challenges.