Rugby: How will Otago fare in the ITM Cup?

The departure of halfback Fumiaki Tanaka has left a gaping hole in the Otago squad, says Jeff...
The departure of halfback Fumiaki Tanaka has left a gaping hole in the Otago squad, says Jeff Cheshire.

With the ITM Cup kicking off this week, ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire poses some questions about Otago's prospects in the tournament.

Can they win promotion?

Otago have been making steady progress in the right direction in recent years. Although their overall standing in recent seasons may not reflect it, they have come a long way since finishing last by a considerable distance in 2010. The last few years have seen a young team play some good rugby and remain competitive in most of their games.

Now they must start achieving results. Of course, winning promotion is far from easy. The ITM Cup Championship is such an even competition where any team can beat any team. Everyone is capable of winning the whole thing. Finding consistency is the key and if Otago are to win the Championship, they must turn up week in and week out.

Winning promotion to the Premiership would be huge for Otago. Without it, they cannot even compete to win the top prize in New Zealand provincial rugby. It is not that they are not as good as many of the teams in the Championship. Last season Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki were no better than Otago, Tasman and Hawkes Bay. But as only one team moves up and down every year, it was a situation that was never going to be resolved. Consequently Otago and Hawkes Bay still find themselves in the division below Waikato and Taranaki. Clearly getting out of the Championship is a huge challenge in itself. But it is one Otago must overcome sooner rather than later.

Who is going to step up?

The ITM Cup has become a breeding ground for young talent. In recent years we have seen a handful of Otago players make the jump from good club players to genuinely solid options on the national scene. Last year Tom Franklin, Gareth Evans and Lee Grant all had breakout seasons, while Paul Grant, Hayden Parker, TJ Ioane, Jayden Spence and Liam Coltman have all done similar things in recent years.

One can only hope that the trend will continue in 2014. There is plenty of potential there. Jayden Spence had a standout season last year and was unlucky not to pick up a Super Rugby contract. If he continues in the same form, it will be hard to ignore him for another year.

Joe Latta, Donald Brighouse, Josh Renton and Jackson Hemopo all look to have plenty of talent, while Michael Collins, Tei Walden, Hugh Blake Matt Faddes and Fa'asiu Fuatai will want to show why they are regarded so highly.

Will the lack of experience at halfback be a problem?

Fumiaki Tanaka's departure has left a gaping hole in the Otago squad. His fast past and dangerous sniping game have been key parts of the team's success in recent years. There is no doubt he will be missed.

Josh Renton and Nick Ealey are the men changed with filling Tanaka's boots. Both are talented players, but lack experience in the ITM Cup. Renton has a crisp pass, capable of quickly off the ground in both directions. His all-round game is a work in progress, but still being of Colts age, he has time to develop this. In his limited opportunities last season he was tidy enough and is undoubtedly a player of great potential. To add to this, he is a local boy, which is always good to see.

Ealey on the other hand has experience playing for Panasonic in the Japanese top league, filling in for Tanaka who also plays for the club. He too has a very good pass and a solid kicking game.

The position remains up for grabs, but at least both options should provide quick ball, which will suit Otago.

Is the set-piece going to hold up?

The first thing you need to win rugby games is a solid set-piece. We saw the troubles it gave the Highlanders towards the end of the Super Rugby season. You can have all the flashy backs you want, but without a good platform in front of them, they will struggle to be effective enough to win.

There is no question that the Otago forward pack is mobile. Liam Coltman and Sam Anderson-Heather are tough no-nonsense hookers, Scott Manson works hard and Aki Seiuli pops up all over the place. Tom Franklin is a skilful, athletic lock who gets around the field well and the new young locks are in a similar mould. The looseforwards are fast around the field too.

But this all counts for so much less without a strong set-piece. The scrum is what may trip them up, particularly against the top teams. As good as the tight-five may seem around the field, they are still very much unproven in this area at this level. The lineout should function okay, although the loss of Gareth Evans' speed off the ground will hurt them. Liam Coltman's throwing proved an issue during the Super Rugby season and he will need to hit his targets, while Sam Anderson-Heather is generally fairly reliable throwing.

Will the stadium continue to produce attractive rugby?

One of the features that have come to characterize the ITM Cup is its fast, open, free-flowing nature. Nowhere is this game style more suited than Forsyth Barr Stadium. The stadium produces optimal conditions for taking chances and running the ball. Teams come to Dunedin with an obvious intent to play plenty of rugby at a fast pace.

This is true of all levels. Twenty minutes of the All Blacks best rugby in recent years came under the roof against England earlier this year. The best game of the Super Rugby season was staged there too, when the Crusaders snuck home against the Highlanders 32-30 in an epic. Over the past two years we have seen multiple games in a similar manner contested by Otago there too. It is no coincidence.

To play this style of game you need to be a fit, fast, skilful team. Your forwards have to be able to get around the field and keep running, the halfback needs clear the ball quickly and the backline needs to be capable of running the ball and chancing their arm a bit. This year's Otago team seems to fit this model. Expect some attractive rugby and hopefully some wins as well.

Add a Comment