Lentjes back in loose forward shuffle

James Lentjes.
James Lentjes.
James Lentjes is back in the starting line-up for Otago tomorrow’s match against North Harbour as the side looks to win its sixth match on the trot.

Lentjes comes into the starting side to take the place of Naulia Dawai and Lee Allan moves from the openside to the blindside flank in the loose forwards.

Craig Millar will start at loosehead prop for Otago, with Aki Seiuli in a knee brace after injuring his medial ligament in last week’s win over Tasman.

Tighthead prop Donald Brighouse swaps places with Hisa Sasagi, who goes to the bench.

Southern prop Mike Mata’afa, who has joined the squad this week, will come off the bench.

The other changes to the Otago side come in the backline, where Matt Faddes moves to the reserves and Sio Tomkinson comes into the centre position.

Tomkinson (20) has started at second five-eighth already this season but this will be the first start at centre, where he played for the New Zealand Colts team earlier this season.

Fa’asui Fuatai comes on to the left wing to replace Jack Wilson, who is out for at least a month with a shoulder injury.

Faddes, who missed some tackles on defence last week, goes to the bench, where he will be joined by Scott Eade and Josh Walden as the back reserves.

Michael Collins continues at fullback — for the fifth game in a row — and he has made a decent fist of the position.

Lock Blair Tweed makes a return to the match day squad, named on the reserves bench.

North Harbour sits just outside the top four of the Championship but has had some narrow losses and has been playing some decent rugby.

It beat Manawatu in its last hit out last Saturday but has not beaten Otago since 2010.

Much will depend on the Harbour inside back pairing of Bryn Hall and Bryan Gatland.

Gatland is the son of British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland.

He has an educated boot and will look to steer the side around.

Highlanders signing Tevita Li will get a chance to explore his new home when he starts on the left wing.

Blues outside back Matt Duffie misses the game because of a shoulder injury.

The North Harbour pack is not full of big names but some solid performers who will not give in.

Props Nic Mayhew and Sione Mafileo form a solid front row although regular captain and hooker James Parsons is out of the match because of a concussion and will not travel.

 

Otago v North Harbour
Forsyth Barr Stadium, tomorrow, 2.35pm

Otago: Michael Collins, Mitchell Scott, Sio Tomkinson, Tei Walden, Fa’asui Fuatai, Fletcher Smith, Jonathan Ruru, Paul Grant (captain), James Lentjes, Lee Allan, Tom Franklin, Josh Dickson, Donald Brighouse, Sam Anderson-Heather, Craig Millar. Reserves: Sekonaia Pole, Mike Mata’afa, Hisa Sasagi, Blair Tweed, Naulia Dawai, Josh Walden, Scott Eade, Matt Faddes.

North Harbour: Matt McGahan, Mark Telea, Matt Vaega, Michael Little, Tevita Li, Bryn Gatland, Murphy Taramai, Connor Collett, Glen Preston, Chris Vui (captain), Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Sione Mafileo, Vyron Smith, Nic Mayhew. Reserves: Adrian Smith, Hani Fatai, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Brandon Nansen, Hapakuki Moala-Liavaaa, Chris Smylie, Daniel Hilton-Jones, Lukas Swart.

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