It is a walk down memory lane in Oamaru tomorrow.
The King Country side arrives in the town and will take on North Otago for the Maroon and Gold Cup.
It will be the first meeting between the sides since 2018 when King Country prevailed 22-18.
King Country is on a short trip to Oamaru as the central North Island union tries to get players out and about and experience touring. Teams used to tour many years ago but as finances got tighter and time pressures increased, trips became shorter and tours ended.
King Country Rugby Football Union general manager Kurt McQuilken said the idea behind the trip to Oamaru was to give club players in the province something different to aim for and allow them to have a touring experience.
The initial aim was to get two games on tour but Mid Canterbury could not front as it wanted the players to concentrate on their club competitions.
King Country had nine clubs in its senior competition but McQuilken said they were of varied quality. The side was scheduled to arrive in Dunedin today and then go through to Oamaru for some training. It would play the game tomorrow and would be in the town until Monday before heading home. The union had funds for the trip and it was board member Glynn Meads’ idea to get the players further afield. King Country had disappointed in 2019 in the Heartland Championship, finishing in the bottom half of the table so it was a chance to get things prepared for this season.
North Otago will be using the game as warm-up for the Ranfurly Shield challenge on June 30. It has brought in new centre Hayden Todd who played one game for Otago in 2019 and has been ripping up teams while playing for Cromwell in Central Otago. He has moved to play for Kurow and will be available for North Otago in the Heartland Championship. North Otago coach Jason Forrest said Todd impressed him in the couple of games he played against North Otago. It was a way to open a pathway for Todd.
The North Otago side will be captained by experienced prop Meli Kolinisau. Sam Sturgess was injured as was midfield back Lemi Masoe. Veteran prop Ralph Darling was not available for the Shield challenge and was weighing up the rest of the season.
North Otago v King Country Oamaru, tomorrow, 1pm
North Otago: Mataroa Maui, Levi Atiga, Hayden Todd, Taniela Smith, Sione Fa’aoso, Abel Magalogo, Mosese Aho, Cameron Rowland, Ollie Kinzett, Blake Welsh, Adyn Nguna, Meli Kolinisau (captain), Jake Greenslade, Kelepi Funaki. Reserves: Lenny Varu, Lisivani Tu’ifua, Samuela Baniau, Toni Taufa, Jake Matthews, Josh Phipps, Matt Vocea, Sam Tatupu, Filipo Sefo, Jacob Day.
King Country: Diego Rangi, Kody McGovern, Josh Couper, Josevata Malimole, Mosese Baravalia, Mohi Roberts, Liam Wano, Reeve Satherley, Hamu Winiata-Dunster, Sisa Vosaki, Chris Allman, Bradley Jeffries, Joseva Curuki, Nicholas Barnes, Carl Carmichael. Reserves: Sam Stewart, Isaac Griffin, Sam Robinson, Cruise Dunster, Leveson Gower, Nathaniel Smith, Maximus Dunster, Dion Havea, Sefanaia Tataka
- Terry O'Neill
