Otago fielding inexperienced side in Timaru
THE Otago Whalers have a newlook squad at the South Island Championship in Timaru this weekend.
Last year, Otago won the South Island title but it is very much a different team on a different stage this year.
Covid19 has led to the championship taking place over just one weekend at Apline Energy Stadium in Timaru. The other three sides involved are West Coast, Southland and
Aoraki.
The Otago side is skippered by Ricki Allan, who is in his fifth year with the Whalers.
Other experienced players are Tama Apineru and Cameron Brown.
But 13 of the 22 players selected have never played for Otago at this level.
Many of the players have come through agegrade sides.
All four clubs which played in the Otago Rugby League spring club competition have players in the Otago team.
Sione Fa'aoso and Inoke Fisilau have been named in the side from the Oamarubased club team, the Waitaki Warriors.
The side will again be coached by Dave Reedy. He has won the last three South Island titles with Otago.
He will be assisted by Louis Tili, who is moved into coaching after rupturing his Achilles in the club season.
Club rugby players Jake Fowler, a hooker from Green Island and Mackenzie Haugh, an outside back from Southern, are also in the squad.
The other three sides and their form are unknown as seasons have been disrupted because of Covid19.
Southland played a summer club season, Aoraki has just finished its club season while no club season was played on the West Coast.
The games will be played in 30minute halves. West Coast will be the first opponent for Otago tomorrow followed by West Coast later in the day.
Southland will be the final opponent on Sunday.
The two teams with the best record will meet in a final on Sunday afternoon.
It is expected to be hot over the weekend with the temperature forecast to hit 28degC on Sunday.
The winner of the final will play the North Island winner in Auckland next weekend.
Otago lost narrowly to Wellington in the equivalent final last year.