Touch: Key roles for four players from Otago

Four Otago people will play key roles in the transtasman series in Mudgee later this month.

Kaikorai Valley College pupil Thomas Johnson will be feeling particularly excited as he heads across the Ditch to make his debut for the New Zealand open men's team.

A lad from the South Island selected for a full New Zealand touch team - that is about as rare as it gets - and Johnson's performance will be watched with interest.

Two other young Otago touch players will appear in the series.

Multi-talented former Otago Girls' High School pupil Dayna Turnbull will play for the New Zealand open women's team.

Turnbull was captain and most valuable player of the Otago under-21 women's team that finished third at the national championships.

Last year, she played college basketball in the United States.

Former King's High School pupil Mackenzie Haugh is in the New Zealand open mixed team.

Haugh, who completed his year 13 studies at Nelson College before returning to Dunedin, coached John McGlashan College at the South Island secondary schools tournament last month.

Off the field, one of Otago sport's hardest-working contributors will keep one of the national sides in order.

Toni Wall, who has held various roles in touch, rugby, netball, basketball and softball, is travelling as manager of the New Zealand open men's team.

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