Rugby: Boost to Otago as key players re-sign

Some of Otago's key players have re-signed for next year in a boost for the province.

The Otago Rugby Football Union announced yesterday the re-signing of six players for the 2016 season.

Included in the half-dozen were captain and hooker Liam Coltman (25), key lock Tom Franklin (25) and first five-eighth Hayden Parker (25).

The other signings were promising lock Josh Dickson (21), another second rower in Blair Tweed (22) and young first five-eighth Fletcher Smith (20).

Otago Rugby Football Union general manager Richard Kinley said it was fantastic news for the union.

"To have leaders the calibre of Liam, Tom and Hayden along with talented young players such as Fletcher, Josh and Blair commit to Otago bodes well for 2016 and beyond,'' he said.

"We've already got a few guys who have deals which have been rolled over to a second year and it is great to get this talent and experience signed up.''

"Obviously Hayden did not get a lot of game time on the field because of injury [shoulder] this season but off the field he provided a lot of experience for the side and the young guys in our team.''

Kinley said Tweed had just come through club rugby last year and made the most of the chance he had been given.

Joe Latta, Tom Franklin and Jackson Hemopo had all picked up injuries and Tweed had come into the side and never looked back.

Kinley said the union would still be sticking to its policy of signing some players out of club rugby.

Tweed was an obvious example of this policy and its success.

Though he could not confirm it, Kinley said players of the calibre of Franklin and Coltman would have attracted interest from other unions so it was good the players had signed for Otago.

Both Franklin and Coltman have signed with the Highlanders until 2017.

Otago coach Cory Brown was pleased to retain some key players.

"We are delighted these players have re-signed with Otago.

"These guys are a huge part of our team both on and off the field, adding a lot to the team environment and culture,'' Brown said.

Coltman said it was an honour to re-sign with Otago.

"We had a great season this year, but will hope to go one better next year and make the final,'' Coltman said.

Otago announced last week the acquisition of some promising young players through a partnership with the Otago Polytechnic and the University of Otago.

The ITM Cup starts on August 18 next year.

 

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Staying here
Retained players:

Liam Coltman, Tom Franklin, Hayden Parker, Josh Dickson, Blair Tweed, Fletcher Smith. 

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