Yesterday's trials showed that Otago rugby is poised to reap the benefits of the injury woes that plagued the Air New Zealand Cup team last year.
Players who were blooded ahead of their time last year stood up and showed that they should be retained in the Otago squad this year and this pleased coach Steve Martin when he watched the trials in bitterly cold conditions at the Balclutha Showgrounds.
"We have a good mix of experienced players, guys we blooded last year, and one or two new faces," Martin told the Otago Daily Times after the game.
"It is early days yet. But it augurs well for us as we build towards our first Air New Zealand Cup game."
The game was played in bitterly cold conditions with several showers of snow and sleet crossing the ground during the 80min.
But the conditions did not freeze the initiative and enterprise of the players who entertained the crowd of about 600 with an exciting brand of running rugby.
"There was some excellent play considering the conditions," Martin said.
"The game was played with the real intensity that we wanted.
"We are getting close to the business end of the club competition and it was good to see the intensity being ramped up."
He was particularly pleased with the form shown by the Highlanders midfield combination of Aaron Bancroft and Brett Mather for their defensive qualities in the Blue teamBancroft showed his skill at creating gaps when he scored two second-half tries.
"A number of players we have been tracking through enhanced their reputations," Martin said.
Martin was pleased with the form shown by players brought into the Otago team last year because of injuries.
"They had a brief taste of first-class rugby and the benefits of this experience was starting to stand out in the trials," he said.
Ben Smith, who played at centre in the first spell and displayed counter-attacking flair when he dropped back to fullback in the second spell, stood out for his ability to read the gap and his speed and silky skills in floating through it.
Sean Romans and Chris Noakes are potentially one of the best inside-back combinations in the country and their skills helped the White team to dominate the first spell and score five tries to lead 38-0 at the break.
Noakes has a touch of genius and he used his skills to make the initial break to send flying winger Karne Hesketh on a 70m sprint for the first try after just 3min.
Not to be outdone, Romans burst through the gap to set up the third try when he fed speedy fullback Casey Stone after 32min.
He also set up Smith's try with a burst from near his own goal line.
Hesketh had the strength to bump off several tackles in a 70m run that led to a try by second five-eighth Dan Snee.
Lock Uili Koloofai showed the benefit of his intensive 11 games for Otago last year and No 8 Paul Grant showed he has learnt from his first taste of Air New Zealand Cup rugby last year.
Flanker Eben Joubert, who has had first-class experience in South Africa, added the intensity at the breakdown and at the tackle that he has brought from his homeland.
Other young forwards to impress at the trial were flanker Hoani Matenga and tighthead prop Sam Hibbard.
Lock Ross Kennedy displayed the intensity for which he was noted when he played for Wellington and Counties Manukau.
Other players who enhanced their chances of making the Otago squad were hooker Pete Mirrielees with his intensity in close quarters, and midfield back Luke Herden for his ability to break the line and stand in the tackle.
Watching from the sidelines were former All Blacks Jeff Matheson, Tuppy Diack and Simon Culhane, former All Black assistant coach Tony Gilbert, former North Otago representative Terry O'Neill, Highlanders captain Craig Newby and former Otago captain Dave Latta.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans yesterday warned his rusty team to shape up or ship out after pinning rarely-seen faith in his developing squad for Saturday night's first test against France at Sydney's ANZ Stadium, AAP reports.
Deans named the same 22 players who escaped with a patchy 18-12 victory over Ireland in his first test in charge 10 days ago before dramatically declaring his welcoming party well and truly over.
While Deans' public show of stability came as a refreshing change to senior Wallabies - his predecessor John Connolly's 27-test tenure did not once feature the same line-up for back-to-back matches - he insisted it would be foolish for any of his charges to take ongoing selection for granted.
After labelling the Wallabies' performance against Ireland as barely acceptable and, at times, downright poor, the former Crusaders coach said he believed in second chances.
But, after that, future test caps must be earned.
Everyone, Deans said, from skipper Stirling Mortlock down, was on notice.
"You're always on notice. Nothing's forever," he said.
"You get a very brief moment in this jersey - the opportunity to play at this level, to represent your country.
"What we would like is for these blokes to be able to look back and say `yeah, well, in my time I maximised the opportunity'," Deans said.
"We're still in the early stages. They made a good start, but not a great start. We'll need to be better."
Otago trial
Scores
Otago White 53 (Karne Hesketh, Chris Noakes, Casey Stone, Dan Snee, Ben Smith, Lewis Hancock, Andrew Parata, Sam Anderson-Heather tries; Noakes 5 conversions, penalty goal), Otago Blue 10 (Aaron Bancroft 2 tries).Half-time: 38-0. Referee: Keith Brown (Southland).
Five of the best
1) Sean Romans and Chris Noakes (halfback-first five-eighth combination).
Romans' quick delivery gave Noakes space to set the White backline alight and it scored five tries and 38 points in the first 40min.
Noakes kicked six goals from six attempts.
Ross Kennedy (lock).
Was sin binned in the first 5min and came back to play a fiery yet constructive game and put pressure on opponents.
Eben Joubert (flanker).
Tackled like a demon and brought South African intensity into his play.
Skilled at winning ball at the breakdown.
Hoani Matenga (flanker).
Had a constructive all-round game.
Skilled at the line-out, accurate with the tackle and a good link with ball in hand.
Ben Smith (centre and fullback).
Added speed in the midfield and on the counter-attack when he shifted to fullback in the second spell.
Scored one brilliant try in a movement started by Romans 90m out.
What happens next
Today: Training squad (28 to 32 players) named.
July 12: Otago v Southland, Dunedin (pre-season).
July 18: Otago v Wellington, Wellington (pre-season).
July 20: Squad named.
August 2: Otago v Southland, Invercargill (Air New Zealand Cup).
