The North Otago squad for the Heartland Championship will be announced after the province's three-match tour of Fiji and Tonga.
North Otago plays Nadroga (Tuesday, 6pm), Pacific Island University in Suva (August 8, 4pm) and a Tongan XV selected from the 14 premier clubs (August 12, 3.30pm).
The Old Golds will then return to Oamaru, where the Heartland Championship squad will be announced.
It will include at least four loan players. Already confirmed are University A first five-eighth and goal-kicker Stephen Fenemor, originally from the Tasman region, and towering Zingari-Richmond lock Tom Rowe, who has represented Otago in basketball.
North Otago chief executive Colin Jackson confirmed the union was also looking for a lock-No 8.
Also included as a loan player will be Excelsior midfielder Tenina Sauileoge, originally from Auckland.
He is the brother of Ekeroma Sauileoge, who played 36 games for North Otago, the last in 2010, before returning to club rugby this season.
Those who have not travelled with the touring side but will be available for the Heartland campaign are Athletic Marist prop Palenapa Mafi, Valley prop Rob Mafileo, Excelsior flanker Matt Duff and Ekeroma Sauileoge.
-by Terry O'Neill
