NOW IS THE TIME
Otago looks to have its best chance in several years to win promotion to the Premiership, Jeff Cheshire writes.
There is a clear sense of confidence from Otago fans this year. That is not without good reason either. Their team has assembled a quality squad and hopes of promotion to the Premiership are high.
It has been 11 years since Otago last competed for provincial rugby’s top prize. On that occasion (2010) it finished at the bottom of the table in the last season of a 14-team competition. It left the province in the Championship division following the NPC’S restructure. That is where it has remained ever since.
But this season head coach Tom Donnelly has named a squad packed with firepower that has every chance of breaking the trend.
Nineteen Super Rugby players, a solid forward pack and a lethal backline highlight this team.
They will give Otago every chance of avenging last year’s result, in which it was tripped up in a home semifinal by Northland.
That backline will be key, particularly under the roof on a dry and fast Forsyth Barr Stadium track. Indeed, just making the starting team will be a challenge in some positions.
Kayne Hammington and Josh Ioane are a likely inside back combination. Both bring plenty of experience from higher levels and Ioane has the ability to both control a game and threaten with ball in hand. Hammington is backed up by a pair of promising youngsters in Nathan Hastie and James Arscott. However, Otago would not want to lose Ioane with no obvious replacement.
‘It is a backline that will be tough to make and one that will pose threats for even the toughest defences.’
Outside them is a riches of talent. Highlanders duo Sio Tomkinson and Thomas Umaga-jensen will both stake a strong claim to the starting midfield spots.
Tomkinson is one of the hardest hitters in New Zealand rugby, while Umaga-jensen comes off an injury-riddled past 12 months. However, they will receive stiff competition from Aleki Morris-lome, when he returns from the United States, and Ray Nu’u, who moves north from Southland.
Matt Faddes is back after a stint with Ulster, the speedy utility capable of slotting in both at centre and in the back three.
Outside them is a similarly electric back three. Jona Nareki is among the most
slippery players in New Zealand. He was perhaps unlucky to miss out on an All Blacks call-up after a standout season with the Highlanders.
Viliami Koroi is similarly dangerous in space, while both Sam Gilbert and Freedom Vahaakolo come off truncated Highlanders’ seasons.
It is a backline that will be tough to make and one that will pose threats for even the toughest defences. There should be a solid platform for it to operate from as well. Prop has been mentioned as an area of weakness for the side, particularly as promising youngster Saula Ma’u will miss the season with a knee injury.
However, with the return of Josh Hohneck and the signings of Sef Fa’agase and Jermaine Ainsley, the side has a trio of useful and seasoned campaigners.
Meanwhile George Bower will inject plenty of quality if he is made available among his All Blacks commitments.
Liam Coltman brings a hard-edge and experience at hooker, while Ricky Jackson provides a handy back-up.
That group should ensure the scrum holds up, while also being busy enough around the field.
At lock, Josh Dickson brings mobility and impressive aerial ability.
His partner from last year, Jack Regan, has signed with Ulster in Ireland and is a big loss.
However, Will Tucker is back and offers a solid presence, while highly touted youngster Fabian Holland may get an opportunity.
Captain and flanker James Lentjes returns to the side after missing all of last season through a broken ankle. He brings a hard edge to the loose forwards and will be joined in the flanks by Slade Mcdowall. Dylan Nel will likely start at No 8, forming a useful trio. However, that is an area in which Otago’s depth will be tested. Donnelly, who played 82 games at lock for Otago, returns for his second year as head coach.
He is assisted this year by Highlanders skills coach Riki Flutey, as well as former long-time Southland prop Jamie Mackintosh, who aligned with Otago last year.
Otago will not have to wait long for its first significant test either. It will challenge for the Ranfurly Shield in its second game, as it travels to Napier to face last year’s Championship winners Hawke’s Bay.