New players in the Otago ITM Cup squad are (from left): Sam
Anderson-Heather, Liam Coltman, Josh Townsend, Chris Small,
Joe Hill, Paula Kinikinilau and Josh Tatupu. Photo by Peter
McIntosh.
Otago coach Phil Mooney says the serious time has begun
and is pleased with the competition for places within the
squad.
Mooney named a 26-man squad, with plenty of experience and
some new faces, for the ITM Cup last night.
The new faces include Auckland prop Halani Aulika, from the
Otahuhu club, who has been drafted into the Otago side and
will arrive in Dunedin today.
Otago has been hard hit with injuries to front row
contenders, with Harbour prop Ben Nolan the latest casualty.
Nolan, who was brought back from Australia earlier this year
to play for Otago, injured his knee in a club game two weeks
ago and will have to undergo a full knee reconstruction. He
had just recovered from a broken wrist.
He joins fellow prop Keith Cameron (shoulder) on the
sideline, while hookers Jason Macdonald (Achilles) and Sam
Anderson-Heather (broken leg) are also out, though
Anderson-Heather may get back on to the field near the end of
the season.
Other features of the 26-player squad include eight players
from the champion University A side and the selection of New
Zealand colt Liam Coltman.
Coltman (20) had played most of his rugby before this year at
prop but was picked for the national age group side at hooker
and it is there he will play for Otago, though the
experienced Peter Mirrielees will start the season as first
choice.
Mooney said Aulika (26) had good credentials, having been the
club player of the year in Auckland club rugby last year.
"We have rewarded some guys with their performances in club
rugby, guys like Paula Kinikinilau and Charlie O'Connell,"
Mooney said.
"They have put their hands up with the way they have played."
He said the coaches would be striving "to get quite good
internal competition within the squad".
"That can only bring out the best in people."
He said the Otago B squad would be announced shortly and
coaches Andy Hunter and Mike Moeahu would be working with the
senior Otago side to ensure Otago B players were ready to
step up and play for the Otago side, if needed.
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