Rugby: Canada tour mainly about development

Old Boys flanker Maene Mapusaga runs away from Kurow defenders (from left): Hamish Thompson,...
Old Boys flanker Maene Mapusaga runs away from Kurow defenders (from left): Hamish Thompson, Harvard Fale and Marshall Smith. Photo by Carol Edwards.
Twenty-two rugby players from North Otago and further afield will head off on July 30 for a three-match tour of Canada, where they will play games against Canada Barbarians in Victoria on August 3, the Prairie Wolf Pack in Alberta on August 7 and British Columbia on August 10.

The side then plays its first Heartland match on August 27 against Mid Canterbury in Ashburton.

North Otago chief executive Colin Jackson said earlier in the week it was basically a developmental tour for younger players in North Otago.

"It's a further development of our rugby academy system which helps players prepare for the coming Heartland competition and to develop combinations. And it continues a relationship with the Canadian Rugby Union which is going well with player and referee exchanges,'' Jackson said.

Robin Kaluzniak (21), who is in the top 20 referees in Canada, is refereeing in North Otago and earlier this week officiated in the First XV match between Timaru Boys' High School and Otago Boys' High School, while young local referee Craig Kingan will travel to Canada for the coming northern hemisphere rugby season.

The support staff with the team is the coaching staff of Barry Stevens, Nigel Walsh and Jason Forrest, along with eight supporters.

In two crucial matches in the 13th round of Citizens Shield, leader Old Boys will face third-placed Maheno at Whitestone Contracting Stadium at 2.45pm, while on the No5 ground the fourth and fifth-placed teams, Athletic Marist and Valley, will play at at 2.45pm.

There are only two points separating these two sides, so a place in the top four is a chance for the winner.

At Kurow, the home side will play Excelsior at 2.30pm in what should be a win for Kurow.

Both Kurow and Maheno will be interested in their respective efforts tomorrow, as the pair are separated by only a couple of points.

Whatever team finishes second will play the semifinal on its home ground this year, due to a recent decision of the North Otago club council.

- Terry O'Neill

 


North Otago squad
to tour Canada

Ralph Darling, Inoke Naufahu, Lemi Masoe, Kennet O'Neill, Maene Mapusaga, Siosiua Ngalo (Old Boys), Jake Greenslade, Matthew Vocea (Valley), Dan Towler, Adam Johnson, Robbie Smith, Robbie Richardson (Maheno), Joe Pickett, Meli Kolinisau, Matt Duff, Isaac Shields, Kayne Middleton, James O'Neill (Excelsior), Connor Newlands, Jared Whitburn (Athletic Marist), Sam Forsyth (Kurow). North Otago's player of origin for 2016, Jacob Coughlan, who is playing for Alhambra Union in Dunedin, is also travelling. 


 

Add a Comment