Otago has named 19 Super Rugby players in its 33-strong National Provincial Championship squad.
Some of the players are more entrenched in Super Rugby than others. But they have had a taste of rugby at that level and it bodes well for the season.
Four of those players have had experience at the top level as well.
Prop George Bower made his debut for the All Blacks against Tonga at the weekend.
Experienced hooker Liam Coltman has played eight tests for the All Blacks, while Jermaine Ainsley has played three tests for the Wallabies.
First five-eighth Josh Ioane completes the quartet. The 25-year-old made a one-off appearance for the All Blacks in 2019 and has also played for the Maori All Blacks, Samoa under-20 and Moana Pasifika.
Ainsley joins four other players who are new to the squad this season.
Exciting Harbour outside back Viliami Fine, who was called in to the Tongan squad last week, is in line for a potential debut.
Harbour halfback Nathan Hastie and Dunedin lock Fabian Holland both impressed for the Highlanders under-20 team this season and have earned a call-up, while Southland midfielder Ray Nu’u has signed with Otago this season.
There is also a change to the coaching team. Highlanders assistant coach Ricky Flutey has replaced Lee Allan, who has moved on, and will join Jamie Mackintosh and head coach Tom Donnelly.
Ryan Martin has other rugby commitments and is not returning to the staff this season.
Otago named a larger squad last season. But there are 13 players not returning from last year, or 14 if you count Mackintosh, who packed down in the scrum last season.
He may be called on to lace up his boots again depending on how the side’s front row resources hold up.
Ainsley is still making his way back from an ankle injury he picked up before the start of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Powerful Harbour prop Saula Ma’u has been ruled out with a season-ending injury.
Former Otago prop Hisa Sasagi had been lured out of retirement as a potential early season fill-in but fractured his cheekbone in a club game.
Prop is one area where the squad looks thinly spread but overall Donnelly is thrilled with the squad.
‘‘I’m really happy,’’ he said.
‘‘We’ve got a good balance and now the hard work begins.’’
Donnelly has named three additional players as cover.
‘‘We’ve brought in both the Pole boys [Abraham and Tevita]. They are there to cover Jermaine and Sef [Fa’agase], who is still in America.
‘‘We will possibly look to strengthen at some point by bringing in another player. We’ll just see how we get on.’’
The other reserve player is promising Taieri No10-cum-fullback Cameron Millar.
Among the notable absences are Harbour loose forwards Charles Elton, who is making his way back from an injury and could play a role later in the season, and Sione Misiloi, who is believed to have signed with Southland.
Outside back Josh Timu is also sidelined with an injury, while former captain Michael Collins and lock Jack Regan have signed with Ospreys in Wales.
Flanker James Lentjes will captain the side in the absence of Collins.
Otago will play two pre-season games. The first is against Southland in Waikouaiti on July 23.
The second is against Canterbury in Timaru on July 29.
Otago’s opening game in the NPC is against Southland at Forsyth Barr Stadium on August 6.
