Changes likely as busy Otago in action again NPC

Rugby Park Stadium, tomorrow, 2.05pm

HERE is what we don’t know — who is in the Otago team for its match against Southland in Invercargill tomorrow.

That team will be named today after the captain’s run.

You can go ahead and ink in lock Josh Dickson. He has been in South Africa with the All Blacks but has been released to play today.

There will be plenty of others changes as well. It is Otago’s third game in eight days, so management has had to think carefully about who plays and when.

Otago (possible): Sam Gilbert, Freedom Vahaakolo, Josh Timu, Thomas UmagaJensen, Vilimoni Koroi, Josh Ioane, Kemara HauitiParapara, Rupeni Tamani, James Lentjes, Oliver Haig, Will Tucker, Josh Dickson, Jermaine Ainsley, Henry Bell, Abraham Pole. Reserves: Ricky Jackson, Josh Hohneck, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Sean Withy, James Arscott, Ray Nu’u, Cameron Millar.

Southland: Rory van Vugt, Viliami Fine, Isaac Te Tamaki, Scott Gregory, Matt Whaanga, Marty Banks, Jahvis Wallace, Arese Poliko, Matt James, Grayson Knapp, Josh Bekhuis (captain), Joe Robins, Morgan Mitchell, Sam Stewart, Joe Walsh. Reserves: Jacob Payne, Shaun Stodart, Quinn HarrisonJones, Charles Alaimalo, Jacob Coghlan, Jay Renton, Robbie Robinson, Michael Manson.

There is a good chance Josh Ioane will slot back into first five. Cameron Millar has done a fine job during the past two games and may have earned

himself a break.

Form back Thomas UmagaJensen skipped the 1813 win against Hawke’s Bay in Dunedin on Wednesday. He will probably join either Ray Nu’u or Josh Timu in the midfield.

Nu’u impressed off the bench against Tasman and had another fine game against Hawke’s Bay.

New Zealand under20 player Jake Te Hiwi is another option in the midfield but, with Jona Nareki sidelined with an ankle injury, the opportunity might be out wide.

Captain James Lentjes had the night off on Wednesday, but will almost certainly be back.

He has been playing at No 8 but may start at openside to give Sean Withy a rest.

Withy has played all three games so far, and it would also be a chance to give Rupeni Tamani another run at No 8. Crusadersbounded loose forward Christian LioWillie has had an ankle injury but must be close to making a return.

Otago has a strong roster of frontrowers who have been rotated in and out of the runon side. Jermaine Ainsley missed the last match, so he is a likely starter.

Otago has plenty of depth this year and will have quality players in most areas regardless of who actually starts.

We do not have to guess with Southland. The Stags have got their team out in time for the match programme to be printed.

They will lean on the midfield combination of Isaac Te Tamaki and Scott Gregory to generate some magic.

Former Green Island winger Michael Manson has been named on the bench.

He has exceptional pace and it will be interesting to see what impact he can have if he gets on.

The Stags have had two narrow losses and coach Dale MacLeod said the side was desperate to get a little more reward for its effort.

‘‘We’ve shown that we have the ability to stay in the fight for 80 minutes. It is just the accuracy and we are not quite nailing those opportunities,’’ MacLeod said.

‘‘We get our share of territory and possession and we keep our penalties down, so we are doing all the right things.

‘‘It is just when we get those opportunities to score points and build scoreboard pressure, we are just not quite getting it done.’’

Otago has two wins from three games and a third win would leave it wellplaced to make the playoffs.