Belief McGlashan can ‘Bloody hard’ encounter expected give beating Nelson College ‘a redhot go’ Heartland Championship
Fairlie, today, 2.30pm South Island final Nelson, today, 12.05pm
STRATHCONAN Park in Fairlie has never seen anything like this.
Fierce rivals North Otago and South Canterbury will today meet in a clash of the titans that puts the ‘‘heartland’’ into Heartland Championship.
The Timaru stadium is undergoing redevelopment, so Meads Cup champion South Canterbury has home games in the outlying spots of Temuka, Waimate, Geraldine and Fairlie.
That adds an extra level of interest to what is always a spicy clash, given the history between the neighbouring unions and the fact the coveted Hanan Shield is at stake.
Add in the fact South Canterbury is simply carving up the Heartland Championship — the green and blacks are on an 18game winning streak and looking close to invincible — and that North Otago is fresh off putting 71 points on Buller, and boom, stand by for action.
Old Golds coach Jason Forrest
North Otago: Levi Emery, Asesela Ravuvu, Oli Knopp, Hayden Todd, Mone Samate, Jake Matthews, Mataitini Feke, Junior Fakatoufifita, Josh Reid, Seta Koroitamana, Josh Clark, Manulua Taiti, Rohan Wingham, Hayden Tisdall, Kelepi Funaki. Reserves: Sam Sturgess, Sione Palaa, Lisivani Tuifua, Ratu Logavatu, Angus Foster, Paea Fifita, Inoke Naufahu, Josh RobertsonWeepu.
South Canterbury: Liueli Simote, Lisiate Folau, Zach McKay, Paula Fifita, Kalavini Leatigaga, Sam Briggs, William Wright, Siu Kakala, Nick Strachan, Cam Russell, Solomone Lavaka, Anthony Amato, Tokomaata Fakatava, Conor Anderson, Vaka Taelega. Reserves: Melvin Pauni, Graison Dale, Garrett Casey, Henry Bryce, Loni Toumohuni, Sekope Maea, Zac Saunders, Ramuwai Sainivalat.
said this was going to be a fascinating test for his rebuilding team.
‘‘We’ve got better within our young group, week by week, but Buller was a bit of a shock performance, to be honest.
‘‘For us, this is a massive gauge of where this team is at.
‘‘We’re going there to win, of course. We know we can win.
‘‘But as long as we can put a performance on the field that we can be proud of, we will be happy enough. Because we are massive underdogs, and that’s fine.’’
Forrest said South Canter
bury’s recent efforts demanded respect.
He credited former South Canterbury coach Barry ‘‘Rat’’ Matthews, now back with North Otago as an adviser, with starting the excellent work carried on by current coach — and former Old Golds coach — Nigel Walsh.
‘‘Continuity in Heartland rugby is huge, and this is a side Ratty probably put together six or seven years ago.
‘‘They are very good, very patient, big and physical. So we know we have to do everything well and stay in the fight for 80 minutes.’’
North Otago No 8 Junior Fakatoufifita had a bangedup elbow after the Buller game but was fine to play, Forrest said.
First five Josh RobertsonWeepu is back after a week off but on the bench, while Jake Matthews gets another chance to start.
Asesela Ravuvu gets his first start of the season, replacing Ben Paton on the right wing.
There is a surprise at centre, where former John McGlashan and Green Island representative Oli Knopp stands in for Jermaine Pepe.
Walsh, who gained valuable experience in North Otago before taking his beloved South Canterbury to the promised land, is enjoying life with the Heartland champion.
Winning 18 straight games was ‘‘pretty positive, obviously’’.
‘‘We’ve been lucky enough to keep the base of this team together for a few years, and that certainly helps,’’ Walsh said.
‘‘There’s often a lot of changes in Heartland rugby, but we’ve managed to build a squad that we’ve been able to keep together, and we’re reaping the benefits of that.
‘‘It’s about building a culture, and also confidence and the belief within the group.
‘‘We’ve got a good bunch of players who are competing with each other, and that’s bringing the best out of them.’’
Walsh will always have a soft spot for the Old Golds, and he loves the derby.
‘‘It’s always a hard game. South Canterbury v North Otago is always bloody hard.
‘‘They’ve had two good wins, and scored some really nice tries, so we know it’s going to be tough and we’re really looking forward to the challenge.
‘‘I think it’s sort of a line in the sand for both teams.’’
His players were relishing the opportunity to pay at the country grounds, Walsh said.
‘‘We’re heading up to the high veldt in the Mackenzie country, and I’m sure those supporters up there will come out and create a great day.’’
JACK Timu and his John McGlashan mates are not ready for the time of their lives to stop.
When the final whistle does sound on one of the great Otago First XV teams, about 21 young men will have to come to grips with their schoolboy rugby careers being over.
But the season is not finished yet, and Johnnies will go for broke when they tackle formidable Nelson College in the South Island final in Nelson today, the reward a place in the New Zealand top four tournament.
‘‘Everyone is pretty excited,’’ captain Timu said.
‘‘I’ve got full faith in the boys that we can pull it out.
‘‘Everyone believes we can go up there and give it a redhot go.’’
McGlashan has steadily built a champion team that can look back on a wonderful unbeaten season, capped by a dramatic win over Southland Boys’ in the Highlanders final at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The extra week off — Nelson College had to delay the Crusaders final due to flooding — had allowed his team to rest a few sore bodies, Timu said.
He knows Johnnies will need to play at their absolute best to beat a Nelson team that is having its own golden era.
‘‘They seem pretty sharp, and it looks like they like to chuck the ball around, and they’re pretty big too,’’ Timu said.
‘‘I think our defence is going to have to be pretty good. They’ve got some big runners, so we will have to be pumped up to stop them.
‘‘We’re going to have to bring our A game all round. But we’re the underdogs, so that takes a bit of the pressure off us.’’
Timu’s and several other teammates’ parents are heading up for the game, so McGlashan will not lack for support.
Johnnies will strike one of the modern powerhouses of New Zealand schoolboy rugby.
Nelson College, which runs a dedicated programme and offers rugby on the curriculum for year 12 and 13 pupils, has
John McGlashan College: Charlie Breen, Sam Cottier, Jack Timu (captain), Josh Whaanga, Stanley McClure, Max Hore, Henry Scott, Phoenix Abbott, Archie McRae, Ben Joseph, Zack CleaverDonovan, Mitch Morton, James Paterson, Tom Fowler, Charles Engelbrecht. Reserves:
Keegan Ferguson, Jonty Light, Connor Aldrich, Sam Williams, Billy Dougherty, Liam Barron, Felix Mauger.
Nelson College: Fletcher HewittSmart, Callum Robertson, Timoci Sauira, Nelesoni Malaulau (cocaptain), Zyon Ford, Harrison Inch, Tylah Blake, Matt Lowe, Dane Leppien (cocaptain), Tayne Hemopo, Hennie Fa’avae, Devante Meredith, Sione Mafi, Blake Craddock, Jordan Smith. Reserves: Krugar Griffith, Samiuela Moimoi, Jason Ifopo, Saumaki Saumaki, Teina Thompson, Paddy Beggs, Colby Monk.
made its third South Island final in three years.
Coach Jono Phillips, a former member of the Hurricanes staff in Super Rugby, said the school liked to play a brand of rugby that highlighted the skills of its players.
That is particularly evident in the backline, where Nelson is well served by the thrilling talents of second five Nelesoni Malaulau, winger Callum Robertson and first five Harry Inch.
In the pack, Matt Lowe is a massive threat with the ball.
The home side starts as a warm favourite but Phillips is eager to see how McGlashan has progressed in recent years.
‘‘I’ve actually been tracking them, because a few guys I know have boys at the school,’’ the Nelson coach said.
‘‘They’ve developed well. I think they’re incredibly wellcoached. And they’ve got a really hardworking, united group.
‘‘So we’re ready for a massive challenge, and that’s a big credit to everyone involved down there.’’
Nelson played St Bede’s in the Crusaders final in Motueka, but the school ground has dried enough to host today’s final, which screens live on Sky Sport.