Forrest happy with his side’s improvements
YOU would be hardpressed to find a coach who is happy with a losing season.
But North Otago coach Jason Forrest fits comfortably into that category.
His side will complete its truncated season with a Hanan Shield challenge against South Canterbury in Timaru this afternoon.
Covid19 put the kibosh on the Heartland Rugby tournament and its Meads Cup defence.
But a campaign of sorts was stitched together.
North Otago started with a 4138 win against Otago Country but lost twice to Mid Canterbury and was beaten 247 by South Canterbury earlier last month.
But the season was always about development for North Otago, and building towards its Meads Cup defence in 2021.
On that score, Forrest was content.
‘‘We haven’t had the results we were after but I’m very, very happy,’’ he said.
‘‘We’ve improved every week and that is all I’ve asked of the young guys.
‘‘We’ve put a lot in front of them I suppose and they’ve reacted to that really well.
‘‘Some have picked it up straight away and some haven’t. It is a big step up to play Heartland Rugby, so I’m really, really happy with the season.
‘‘And we’re up to our 16th debutant on Saturday when Taine gets on.’’
The backline has been hit hard by injuries and Forrest has had to dig deep for replacements.
Eighteenyearold Taine Stirling will get an opportunity from the bench, while loose forward Tayne Russell has been named on the right wing.
Tyler Burgess comes in to start
at No 10 and Jake Matthews slides into halfback.
Loosehead prop Robert Richardson returns to the starting lineup after recovering from a niggle.
The other changes in the pack see lock Josh Hayward reinstated in the runon side and Junior Fakatoufifita, who was injured last week, returns at No 8.
‘‘It has been a development year and it has worked well and truly. The boys were really starting to get it during the second half of last week’s game.
‘‘You could just see the change. And who knows what could happen this weekend.
‘‘We’ve had a lot of challenges but we are going up to Timaru to bring the Shield home. But as long as these boys keep improving, because that is what it is all about this week.’’