Rugby: Otago plays lesser hand in franchise

Adam Thomson

In 1999, when the Highlanders made the final of the then Super 12, 13 players from Otago started that match against the Crusaders.

All up that year there were 20 Otago players in the Highlanders squad, which just came up short against the men in red and black.

The following year there were 24 players from Otago in the squad and the team made it through to the semifinals.

But the winds of change have certainly sailed through the Highlanders since then.

In little more than 10 years, Otago has gone from supplying about 80% of the Highlanders to providing a mere handful of players in the side next year.

Why that has happened and who is responsible for that plummet could make a book that would rival War and Peace in length.

Last year, Otago supplied nine players to the squad but realistically it can only be certain of having four players in the 32-man squad that Joseph will name next month.

Lock Tom Donnelly, loose forward Adam Thomson, outside back Ben Smith and openside flanker Alando Soakai should make it into the squad.

Some people question whether Soakai still has the goods, but he has not been helped by playing in an average Otago side.

The way the game is played, if your team is going backwards then, as an openside flanker, you are never going to prosper.

The other three from Otago are all former or current All Blacks and are automatic choices for the southern franchise.

But after that it really does get cloudy for Otago players.

New prop Halani Aulika has impressed in his first nine games for Otago.

He averages better than a try in every two games and been lively around the paddock, but there are concerns about his scrummaging and his ability to go to the next level.

However, with Clint Newland heading overseas and there being few options on the propping market, Aulika may be in with a chance to get a berth.

Halfback Sean Romans is in a duel with Southland's Scott Cowan to retain his place in the squad.

Joseph has said there will be three halfbacks, and he already has two of them in All Black Jimmy Cowan and Manawatu's Aaron Smith.

Romans started the season poorly but has improved of late, though he still needs a bit more zip in his play.

On the other hand, the junior Cowan started well but is now tapering off.

Hooker is another position in which there will be three players.

Jason Rutledge will be one; the other two is a bit of a mystery.

Jason Macdonald is returning from an Achilles heel injury and is back training.

He is good at the set piece but it remains to be seen if he is quick enough around the field.

It is a punt for Joseph, as is a decision on Southlander David Hall, who is also coming back from serious injury.

Sam Anderson-Heather and Liam Coltman are players of promise but need more first-class games.

Talking of bets, Otago winger Fetu'u Vainikolo is the ultimate box of chocolates.

You do not what you are going to get with him.

Do you pick him and hope he brings his best to the table? Or dump him after some truly awful displays over the past couple of years? It may not be a punt worth taking.

Veteran prop Kees Meeuws is keen and experienced, but would his legs last a 16-game season?Hoani Matenga has played solidly this year for Otago, as has Brad Cameron, but with the Highlanders signing Jarrad Hoeata and Nick Crosswell already, they may be squeezed out.

As for the rest, the best they could realistically hope for is making the train-on squad.

Players such as Ryan Shortland, Glenn Dickson and Paul Grant have not kicked on enough this year to advance to the next level.

Otago's Highlanders for 2011

Certainties: Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Ben Smith, Alando Soakai.

Possibilities: Sean Romans, Halani Aulika, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Jason Macdonald.

Long shots: Paul Grant, Brad Cameron, Kees Meeuws, Sam Anderson-Heather, Liam Coltman, Hoani Matenga.

Heading for the bench: Chris Noakes, Peter Mirrielees, Sam Hibbard, Joe Hill, Glenn Dickson, Andrew Parata, Josh Townsend, Chris Small, Ryan Shortland, Josh Tatupu.