North Otago will be seeking to start its season with a bang when it takes on Mid Canterbury this afternoon.
North Otago was last year’s Lochore Cup finalist while Mid Canterbury made it through to the higher Meads Cup semifinals before being knocked out by eventual winner Wanganui.
The men from Ashburton were attempting to win the Meads Cup for a third year in a row last year, and again this year will be looking to make it through to the same stages and go further.
North Otago has had an overseas build-up in western Canada, playing three games resulting in a win, a loss and a draw.
In Heartland rugby it is not just a matter of looking back at the preceding years’ form as player turnover is high.
North Otago’s side for today’s game will have only nine of the 2015 squad on the paddock.
Five of the pack are newcomers to this level while in the backs only halfback Robbie Smith and veteran midfielder Lemi Masoe will grace the starting XV although Oscar Pamment, one of the finds of last season, is on the bench.
Josh Casey has moved up the road from the Taieri club and could make a big impact if he remains fit.
He is an accurate goal kicker and runs well.
A big season is expected from halfback Robbie Smith and second five-eighth Shae Tucker.
Mid Canterbury will be led once again by loose forward Jon Dampney, who will be playing his 105th game for the union, while lock Eric Duff, a former North Otago player, and hooker Jackson Dolan were New Zealand Heartland representatives last season.
Mid Canterbury co-coach, James Jowsey wore the old gold jersey in the 1990s and he is joined in the coaching ranks by former Otago prop Craig Dunlea.
At stake this afternoon will be the Hanan Shield, held by Mid Canterbury.
This season will be the 70th since the shield was donated by Timaru mayor Alfred Hanan, in 1946.
The development sides from Mid Canterbury, South Canterbury and North Otago play for the Hanan Cup on a home-and-away basis while the shield is played for on a challenge basis.
In other Heartland games today South Canterbury will play Buller in Timaru, Poverty Bay meets neighbour East Coast in Gisborne, Thames Valley hosts Horowhenua-Kapiti in Paeroa, Wairarapa-Bush plays King Country in Te Kuiti and Wanganui meets West Coast in Wanganui.
Such is the changing nature of the Heartland Championship it is hard to pick a winner but Wanganui, which won the Meads Cup for a fourth time last season, should once again be right in contention.
- Terry O'Neill
North Otago v Mid Canterbury
Ashburton, today, 2.30pm
North Otago: Craig Smith, Simon Lilicama, Shae Tucker, Lemi Masoe, Matthew Vocea, Josh Casey, Robbie Smith (co-captain), Lucas Goodin, Marcus Balchin, Maene Mapusaga, Sione Misiloi, Jared Whitburn, Dan Towler, Joe Pickett, Ralph Darling (co-captain). Reserves:Jake Greenslade, Robbie Richardson, Soni Tongtongo, Filipo Veamatahau, Tyron Davies, Oscar Pamment, Cameron Morris.
Mid Canterbury: Richard Catherwood, Maleli Sau, Koli Taminitoakula, Nete Caucau, Seta Koroitamna, Jared Percival, Will McKenzie, Jon Dampney (captain), Troy Morgan, Phil Watson, Eric Duff, Iromi Dawai, Mike Lynch, Jackson Dolan, Adam Williams. Reserves: Brendon Tidgen, Luke Leasoki, Koby Nordqvist, Nick McKain, Tyler Blackburn, Christian Vainerere, Tinoci Nabekeke.
