N. Otago line-up tweaked after last outing

North Otago coaches Barry Stevens and Nigel Walsh have made just one change to the side which lost narrowly to Mid Canterbury as the side looks to get into the win column.

The one change is in the front row with Excelsior prop Meli Kolinisau coming in replacing Dan Towler, who drops back to the bench.

In the reserves Robbie Richardson and Samisoni Tongotogo drop out of the squad with Jacob Coughlan being on the bench, while Cameron Morris is displaced by Old Boys centre Siua Ngalo.

Stevens and Walsh will be hoping for a more consistent effort over the full 80 minutes after a rather spasmodic display in the opening game of the season last weekend.

Some of the pack looked to be short of a gallop at this stage of the season.

The side may have gone on a Canadian tour for its pre-season but the side struggled for cohesion in some areas against Mid Canterbury as it lost 40-32.

No 8 Lucas Goodin will improve on his first-up game for North Otago, especially with the ball in hand.

Sione Misiloi impressed with his game, especially on defence, while openside flanker Marcus Balchin had an encouraging first-up effort against Mid Canterbury, where his pace around the paddock served the side well.

The North Otago backline looked promising with the ball in hand with centre Shae Tucker and first five-eighth Josh Casey showing they will be invaluable additions to the Old Golds.

Even this early the home team must look seriously at a win to keep in touch with the pack.

North Otago has pace out wide in Simon Lilicama, Tucker and Matthew Vocea and it is hoped they will get some ball to show their talents.

Late yesterday, New Zealand Rugby advised the bonus-point system would be changed.

Teams losing by eight points or less would receive a bonus point.

This reflects the increase in the value of a converted try to eight points.

Thames Valley went down to last season’s Lochore Cup semifinalists, Horowhenua-Kapiti, in the first round by a mere four points.

The most experienced players in the side are right-winger Lance Easton with 55 appearances, first five-eighth Chris Doak and lock Kent McFarlane with seven of the starting side making debuts this season.

In other round two fixtures, the big winner of opening day, Wanganui, goes to Ruatoria to play East Coast; South Canterbury, another first round winner, meets West Coast in Greymouth; Buller hosts Mid Canterbury in Westport; Horowhenua-Kapiti faces Wairarapa-Bush in Levin; and King Country, the 2015 Lochore Cup winner, plays Poverty Bay.

- Terry O'Neill

 

North Otago v Thames Valley
Whitestone Contracting Stadium, today, 2.30pm

North Otago: Craig Smith, Simon Lilicama, Shae Tucker, Lemi Masoe, Matthew Vocea, Josh Casey, Robbie Smith, Lucas Goodin, Marcus Balchin, Maene Mapusaga, Sione Misiloi, Jared Whitburn, Meli Kolinisau, Joe Pickett, Ralph Darling. Reserves: Jake Greenslade, Dan Towler, Jacob Coughlan, Filipo Veamatahau, Tyron Davies, Oscart Pamment, Siua Ngalo.

Thames Valley: John Hale, Lance Easton, Bryce Cowley, Jonnie Te Ruki-Chambers, Tyrone Keith, Chris Doak, Ben Bonnar, Norman Solofa, Connor McVerry, Rupeni Vakacegu, Matt Rolston, Kent McFarlane, John Mason, Hayden Wisnewski, Nic Judd. Reserves: Renata Haerengarangi, Romy Chies, Josh Elgoran, Jone Koronisagna, Beau-Dene Hamilton, Moss Doran, Reade Tobin.

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