There is a healthy Otago Whalers influence in the South Island men’s team named for a game in Dunedin next week.
No fewer than 12 Whalers have been named in the Scorpions to play New Zealand Universities at the North Ground on October 16.
The squad has been selected based on performances in the South Island championship, won in style by the Whalers.
Otago captain Ricki Allan is joined in the pack by second-rowers Lawrence Ualesi, Israel Otunuku and Champ Betham, veteran prop Mika Mafi, hooker Troy Anstiss, lock Hagan Free and hooker-utility Michael Strydom, who missed the latter half of the Whalers campaign with a head knock.
Exciting backs Jordan McIntee, Mackenzie Haugh, Kiardyn Hatch and Tama Apineru will also play for the Scorpions.
The Otago influence in the team extends to the support staff.
Vastly experienced Whalers coach David Reedy will also guide the Scorpions.
Alongside him will be Otago University player Stanley Pont as trainer, former Whalers representative Owen Draper as physio, and Otago Rugby League junior development officer Melanie Piri as manager.
West Coast Chargers head coach Kurt Dixon joins Reedy as assistant coach.
South Island Scorpions
Otago Whalers: Ricki Allan, Troy Anstiss, Tama Apineru, Champ Betham, Hagan Free, Kiardyn Hatch, Mackenzie Haugh, Mika Mafi, Jordan McIntee, Israel Otunuku, Michael Strydom, Lawrence Ualesi.
Southland Rams: Daniel Low, Jay Naqianivalu, Junior Toparea, Crete Waaka.
West Coast Chargers: Jordan Campbell.
Aoraki Eels: Desmond Dillon.
