Playing for keeps
"OTAGO meets Waterloo" — a jarring headline for anyone reading almost 70 years ago. It was published in the Otago Daily Times the day after the province last surrendered the Ranfurly Shield to Canterbury. The story was accompanied by a photograph of the assistant manager gleefully and carefully placing the shield in a case for transportation to Christchurch. About 12,000 people flocked to Carisbrook on August 16, 1950 in the expectation Otago's long tenure would continue. They were greeted with driving rain and "it was a bewildered crowd which streamed out into the sodden streets" after the final whistle. "Outplayed and outgeneralled" the next story read. Canterbury scored two tries and landed a conversion to win 8-0 —tries were worth just three points back then. Tonight, Otago will be hoping to send its fans back into the streets in a much happier mood. The home side has been playing some sparkling rugby. Wingers Jona Nareki and Vilimoni Koroi have posted 13 tries between them, and are joined by the likes of Michael Collins and Josh Inane in a talented Otago backline. Canterbury has been a pale shade of its usual self this season. It is in third place in the Premiership with four wins from eight games. But it has history on its side and it has not lost a game to Otago in 14 years.
HE is the star winger, the flying fullback, the fillin first fiveeighth — he is everywhere the ball is.
Otago’s Vilimoni Koroi is having quite a season.
He has nabbed six tries — one fewer than his good friend and fellow Otago winger Jona Nareki — and you would have to think he is good for a few more before the campaign is done.
The 21yearold has been named on the right wing for Otago’s Ranfurly Shield defence against Canterbury at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.
It is a big occasion. Otago has not defended the Ranfurly Shield against its northern neighbour since August 16, 1950.
If everything goes to plan, Otago will avenge its 80 loss from 69 years ago and lock the shield away for the summer.
That would be a mighty achievement and definitely something you would put towards the top of your curriculum vitae.
But Koroi potentially has an even bigger event ahead next year. The All Blacks Sevens player is hoping he will get to stand on the top step and have a gold medal draped around his neck at the Tokyo Olympics.
‘‘It is going to be a big year, so hopefully I make the team for that,’’ he said.
‘‘That’s the plan, that’s the plan.’’
Koroi, who has signed with the Highlanders but will not join the team until 2021, will link up with the All Black Sevens side after the Mitre 10 Cup. But first there is just the small hurdle to get over tonight.
Otago has not beaten Canterbury in 14 years. The Red and Blacks have not been in trademark form this year, so the home team may sense an opportunity.
Otago has lifted for the shield games and playing on the hard and fast track at Forsyth Barr Stadium suits its style.
‘‘The boys are going to be real nervous but it will be a good nervous. They [Canterbury] are coming down to play us at our home ground.’’
Koroi and Nareki have certainly enjoyed the dry track. They have been the best of mates since they were toddlers.
They grew up in Whanganui and have always enjoyed friendly competition with each other. People have picked up on it. Both are towards the top of the tryscoring list but Koroi has a message for his old buddy.
‘‘He was a couple of tries ahead but now he is only one.’’
Otago has made three changes to the side which beat Waikato 4535 on Sunday. Lock Joe Latta was ruled out with a neck injury and has been replaced by Louis Conradie. Halfback Rowan Gouws failed a head injury assessment, which means Connor McLeod will get a start and Green Island’s James Arscott will make his debut from the bench.
Steven Misa will start at hooker with Nic Souchon dropping out of the gameday squad.
Canterbury has a menacinglooking tight five, including former All Black prop Owen Franks, and strike power out wide in the form of Josh McKay.
❛ It is going to be a big year, so hopefully I make the team for that
(the New Zealand Sevens team for the
Tokyo Olympics)