Long game focus for Walter

New Otago coach Rob Walter. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
New Otago coach Rob Walter. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
If Rob Walter looks a little puffy, that is because he has smuggled in an extra layer under his polar fleece.

The new Otago coach had his first day in the role on Monday and Dunedin's more temperate climes are just one of the many differences that will require some adjustment.

His wife, Heather, and baby son, William, have joined him in New Zealand. They will go back to Pretoria and its 30degC weather in three weeks but then plan to return to Dunedin in December.

The 40-year-old former South African conditioning coach - he is a lean man under all those layers - has had a busy first few days. He has already observed two net sessions and has met most of the contracted players.

He is planning individual meetings with the players for the remainder of the week.

There is a lot to take in. The University Oval and the operation at Otago Cricket is much smaller than Supersport Park and the Titans' organisation, where he enjoyed a successful stint as head coach from 2013-16, winning three domestic titles.

''Getting to understand the nature of New Zealand and Otago cricket and how that is different from the Titans is the challenge for me,'' he said.

''It is too early to say what that is but that is the exciting part.''

Perhaps the most daunting challenge will be the first-class tournament.

Otago has not won the four-day competition since 1987-88 - 28 distant years ago - and the longer format is his main focus.

''For me, four-day cricket is certainly the pinnacle of [domestic] cricket. It is the greatest test of your skill as cricketers. So, as a team, for us to do well in that competition is definitely a priority.

''My experiences with the Titans tells me it takes time. It takes time to really develop a blueprint for how you go about winning four-day cricket, particularly for a side which has traditionally been very good at the short formats.

''There is some educating around the art of first-class cricket and winning four-day games. That does not happen in a day but it will definitely be a focus.''

The Volts will spend the next two weeks in Dunedin training before going to Oamaru for three days and then Alexandra the following week.

They have a pre-season four-day game against Canterbury in Rangiora planned for October 10-13 and will open their campaign on October 22 with a Plunket Shield match against Central Districts in Nelson.

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