North otago rugby folk are preparing to open their arms to the Highlanders - and to one of their favourite sons.
It will be a happy homecoming on Friday when Glenn Moore, the new Highlanders coach, brings his side to Oamaru to play a trial game.
The popular Moore led a North Otago resurgence that culminated in a national title in the old third division and three consecutive semifinal appearances in the second division.
The Highlanders have played just one full pre-season game in Oamaru in the last four years but North Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Colin Jackson is not bothered this week's visit is only for an internal trial.
‘‘Not at all. In fact, we're quite pleased it's just the Highlanders who are coming because it means we can keep it quite informal and we can really get them involved in the community,'' Jackson said.
‘‘We're very happy that Glenn has recognised the value of North Otago to the Highlanders franchise. ‘‘He wanted to bring the whole squad here and we're very happy to have them.''
The Highlanders are to be split into two squads, augmented by a handful of North Otago players from the squad that won the Heartland Championship last year. One team is staying at the Waitaki Boys High School hostel and one is staying at St Kevins College.
North Otago coach Mike Mullins is helping coach one of the teams, and managers Murray Pearson and Gerard McCarthy and medical staff Mike Stewart and Allister Murdoch are also involved.
For a change, the game is not being played at Centennial Park. The Valley club is hosting it at its bowl-shaped Weston Oval. ‘‘It's terrific to take a game like this out to one of our clubs,'' Jackson said. ‘‘Valley are very enthusiastic about it.''
Jackson hopes for a crowd of at least 1500 at the game.
The North Otago union is hosting a formal dinner at St Kevins on Thursday night, with former All Black great Grant Fox the guest speaker and Moore and Highlanders boss Richard Reid also speaking.
Jackson said more than 270 tickets had been sold for the dinner, which is raising funds for North Otago's groundbreaking tour to Japan in November.
It is shaping as quite a year for North Otago. As well as defending the Heartland title and playing in Japan, the Old Golds have a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Auckland in July.
