Injuries force changes to Otago lineup
OTAGO has picked up a raft of injuries before its game against Southland in Invercargill tomorrow.
The side has won its last four games and should take some confidence into the match against a Southland side which has lost its last five games. But injuries have forced changes.
Captain Michael Collins comes back into the side and will start at fullback.
Vilimoni Koroi moves to the left wing, replacing Jona Nareki.
Nareki took a bang to his ribs last week and is struggling with it. He picked it up way back in March with the Highlanders in South Africa and it is still bothering him.
Jono Hickey will start at halfback, with Kayne Hammington resting a niggly Achilles.
It is Sio Tomkinson’s 50th game for Otago. He made his debut in 2015, coming off the bench in a win over Tasman, having only left Otago Boys’ High School the previous year.
The 24yearold has been a consistent selection for the Otago side but probably lacks an eyecatching part to his game.
A solid defender, his attacking play has improved this year and he has gained confidence from getting to play for the Highlanders in the midfield for a decent period.
Aleki MorrisLome, who has been out for three weeks because of an ankle injury, is selected in the reserves.
No 8 Dylan Nel comes back into the team for Nasi Manu, who put in a top effort in the game against Canterbury. Manu banged his knee at training yesterday, putting him out of contention for tomorrow’s game.
Charles Elton returns to the blindside flank.
Big lock Josh Dickson injured his knee at training and may miss a couple of weeks. Will Tucker comes in and Josh Hill comes into the reserves.
Liam Coltman is gone for the season with a hamstring injury and has been replaced by Ricky Jackson.
University forward Henry Bell comes into the reserves as the replacement hooker.
Bell has played much of his rugby in the loose forwards but has moved into the hooking job over the past two seasons.
The match will be for the Donald Stuart Memorial Trophy, which is held by Otago. Southland last beat Otago in the national provincial championship in 2013.
Otago will be travelling south by bus tomorrow on the day of the game in a one day visit to Invercargill.
Meanwhile, towering lock Manaaki SelbyRickit has returned for Southland. The 24yearold Highlander has been sidelined since injuring his knee during the 1814 loss to Northland in Whangarei last month.
His return is a significant boost for the home side, which has had a few injury concerns to manage in recent weeks.
Fullback Rory van Vugt and fellow lock Ray Tatafu also return after missing the 2412 loss to Manawatu in Fielding on Sunday.
Van Vugt is in the starting side, while Tatafu will be expected to make an impact from the bench.
Isaac Te Tamaki returns to centre, where he is most comfortable, and there are some changes on the bench.
But Stags coach Dale MacLeod has been able name one his strongest sides to face the infrom Otago.
The Stags must win to stay in contention for the championship playoffs. One of the ways they can improve the odds against Otago is to deny its backline opportunities.
Southland boasts a tremendous defence, but it will be tested if Otago can get clean ball.
SelbyRickit’s presence bolsters what is a very decent forward pack and plan A will be to hold on to the ball and plug away.
But the Stags have been guilty of pushing the impossible pass and chucking possession away.
Turning that around has been a focus this week.
‘‘We’ll do something really brilliant but trying to follow that up with some brilliance again has really cost us,’’ MacLeod said.
‘‘When we build phases, we build pressure. We need to really hold on to the ball and play.’’