The Otago centre has been named in the team to contest the NPC final against Canterbury in Christchurch on Saturday.
If Otago are successful on Saturday, Josh and John will become the first father-and-son combination to win NPC titles with Otago.
Josh has been a key plank in the midfield this season, but
he got injured during the tense 44-41 quarterfinal win over Waikato earlier this month, and missed the punishing 41-17 win over Bay of Plenty in the semifinal last weekend.
Timu’s inclusion in the run-on side means Josh Whaanga will drop to the bench.
There is more favourable news on the injury front.
Fullback Finn Hurley got on off the bench against Bay of Plenty for his first 20 minutes all season but limped off with a rolled ankle. He has been named on the bench, which means Sam Nemec-Vial drops out of the 23.
There are no other changes.
Coach Mark Brown’s selections have been consistent this season but he has also rewarded form.
Flanker Lucas Casey and halfback Dylan Pledger started the campaign as back-ups but quickly claimed starting spots, and Oliver Haig has rediscovered his form and got a start at lock last week, and he has retained his place ahead of Joseva Tamani.
It is a team naming without surprise, other than Timu’s rapid return from injury.
The Canterbury side has been weakened due to form hooker George Bell and lock Sam Darry joining the All Blacks. Their absence will strip some talent from the pack.
Canterbury captain and openside Tom Christie leads the defensive effort every week. He is the leading tackler in the competition with 222 tackles — 37 more than his nearest rival.
Canterbury are extremely hard to break down, but they do kick the ball a lot and that will play nicely into Otago’s game plan.
Canterbury have some threats out wide as well.
Fullback Chay Fihaki is chief among them and midfielder Dallas McLeod bagged two tries in the semifinal win over Hawke’s Bay.
The teams have met once this season and Otago registered a famous 38-36 win to grab the Ranfurly Shield in a try-fest in Christchurch.
They scored six tries each.
NPC final
Christchurch, 4.05pm
Otago: Sam Gilbert (captain), Jae Broomfield, Josh Timu, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jona Nareki, Cameron Millar, Dylan Pledger, Christian Lio-Willie, Lucas Casey, Will Stodart, Oliver Haig, Will Tucker, Rohan Wingham, Nic Souchon, Abraham Pole. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Benjamin Lopas, Moana Takataka, Joseva Tamani, Harry Taylor, Nathan Hastie, Josh Whaanga, Finn Hurley.
Canterbury: Chay Fihaki, Manasa Mataele, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Ngane Punivai, Andrew Knewstubb, Louie Chapman, Dominic Gardiner, Tom Christie (captain), Zach Gallagher, Jamie Hannah, Liam Jack, Seb Calder, Brodie McAlister, Finlay Brewis. Reserves: Nick Hyde, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Gus Brown, Tahlor Cahill, Torian Barnes, Tyson Belworthy, James White, Jone Rova
