Changes as Spirit looks to improve

Duncan McEwan.
Duncan McEwan.
Otago Spirit coach Duncan McEwan has made four changes to his starting side as he looks to get the best out of his squad.

The Spirit was toppled 32-5 by Manawatu in its opening match earlier this month.

It had a bye last weekend and will host Canterbury at the University Oval today.Canterbury made an impressive beginning to its campaign with a 31-0 win against Bay of Plenty and will present Otago with a daunting challenge.

McEwan has tinkered with his forward pack and made a change out wide, where Renaye Flockton gets the nod at left wing.

Kiana Werata started there against Manawatu but will shift to the bench, where she will provide cover for the talented midfield pairing of Greer Muir and Kilisitina Moata’ane.

Prop Kirsten Shalosky gets a start at loosehead in place of Eilis Doyle, who drops to the bench.

"[Shalosky] has been training really well and deserves a spot," McEwan said.

"But we are still experimenting a little with our front rowers in terms of figuring out our best combinations."

Lock Annemieke van Vliet will make her debut.

She has replaced fellow rookie Raewyn Gregory-Hunt, who drops out of the game-day 22.

"All of our locks have been training really well. It is just we’ve got to give them an opportunity on the bigger stage. Annemieke has earned the right to be there."

The other change in the pack is to the loose forward trio.

The captain Angie Sisifa moves from openside to No8 and Rachel Ovens moves to the bench to make room for Maddi Finch in the run-on side.

Finch was carrying in injury for most of the club season and McEwan wants to ease her back into the team. She impressed from the bench against Manawatu.

"I still have the same four loose forwards, it is just an adjustment to who is starting.

"We feel like Rachel Ovens will have a bigger role for us as an impact player but we don’t know that yet, so we are just going to try it out and see what happens."

McEwan believes his side will need to win at least three games to be in semifinal contention and the loss to Manawatu was a setback.

The Spirit did not have any pre-season games and McEwan felt that showed in the opening game.

"Our mental intensity and our physical commitment, particularly carrying the ball into contact and at the breakdown, wasn’t where it needed to be, so ...  a big part of our preparation for this game has focused on that area."

 

Farah Palmer Cup
University Oval, today, noon.

Otago: Nicole Kennedy, Kathryn Kibby, Kilisitina Moata’ane, Greer Muir, Renaye Flockton, Olivia Waldron, Megan Manson, Angie Sisifa,  Georgia Mason,  Maddi Finch, Julia Gorinski, Annemieke van Vliet, Gemma Tuhega, Tegan Hollows, Kirsten Shalosky. Reserves: Eilis Doyle, Morgan Walker, Jess Kendall, Rachel Ovens, Zoe Whatarau, Hannah Stolba, Kiana Wereta.

Canterbury: Olivia McGoverne, Chelsey Smart, Elizabeth Pera, Lucy Anderson, Becky Davidson, Tara Horsnell, Kendra Cocksedge, Nicole Purdon, Sui Pauaraisa, Catriona Greenslade, Alana Bremner, Kaylee Tavendale, Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox, Phillipa Love. Reserve: Lucy Emery, Usipua Simaile, Julie Briden, Laura Buckingham, Keri Robertson, Keilamarita Pouri-Lane, Sam Curtis.

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