It is a rest week for Otago.
Well, not really.
They have an important away game against Auckland on Saturday afternoon.
If they can win that, and Canterbury trip up against Taranaki, Otago will qualify in top spot, so there is plenty to play for.
The Lin Colling Trophy is on the line as well.
But Otago have secured a home venue for the NPC quarterfinals and locked away the Ranfurly Shield for the summer, so coach Mark Brown has opted to give some of his players a break to freshen up before the playoffs.
That means Otago have made wholesale changes to their lineup for the first time this season.
Hooker Henry Bell broke his collarbone against North Harbour in Dunedin on Saturday and is out for the remainder of the season.
Veteran rake Liam Coltman will start in his absence and Zingari-Richmond’s A-One Lolofie will make his debut from the bench.
He will not be the only greenhorn on the pine.
Dunedin lock Josh Tengblad and Green Island midfielder Riley Lucas also get an opportunity to make their debuts, while Slade McDowall returns to the Otago team four years after his previous outing for the province.
The Kaikorai openside was in excellent form for his club and also stood out in the inaugural Tuppy Diack Shield.
McDowall played 41 games for Otago from 2017 to 2021. He also played 14 games for Manawatū from 2022 to 2024.
There will be plenty of interest in how Tengblad performs.
The New Zealand under-20 lock is an awfully big unit and should make an easy target.
Hard-working centre Josh Timu and classy openside Lucas Casey are carrying niggles, so they have been rested, although they could have played if needed.
Blindside Will Stodart is in a 12-day return-to-play protocol after failing an HIA at the weekend. Nathan Hastie will start at halfback with the exciting Dylan Pledger dropping to the bench.
Loosehead prop Abraham Pole will take a seat on the bench as well, which means Ben Lopas will start.
Oliver Haig will start at lock and Joseva Tamani, who had a storming game against North Harbour, will provide cover.
First five Cameron Millar, ever-present this season, starts again on Saturday.
Jae Broomfield shifts to the left wing to spell Jona Nareki, who has had a heavy workload.
Sam Nemec-Vial will get a run in the No 14 jersey, and Charlie Powell comes on to the bench.
There are lots of changes. Otago have potentially taken a risk by resting so many players.
They will be hoping it pays off next week in the playoffs.
There are plenty of familiar faces in the Auckland lineup.
Highlanders James Arscott, Tanielu Tele'a, Caleb Tangitau, Tai Cribb and Soana Vikena have been named in the side.
And former All Black prop Angus Ta’avao, who has signed with the Highlanders next year, will pack down at tighthead.
NPC
The teams
Otago: Sam Gilbert (captain), Sam Nemec-Vial, Josh Whaanga, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jae Broomfield, Cameron Millar, Nathan Hastie, Christian Lio-Willie, Slade McDowall, Harry Taylor, Oliver Haig, Will Tucker, Rohan Wingham, Liam Coltman, Benjamin Lopas. Reserves: A-One Lolofie, Abraham Pole, Moana Takataka, Josh Tengblad, Joseva Tamani, Dylan Pledger, Riley Lucas, Charlie Powell.
Auckland: Cohen Norrie, Caleb Tangitau, Tanielu Tele’a, Xavi Taele, Xavier Tito-Harris, Rico Simpson, James Arscott, Sam Hainsworth-Fa’aofo, Anton Segner (captain), Che Clark, Tai Cribb, Josh Beehre, Angus Ta’avao, Mills Sanerivi, Josh Fusitu’a. Reserves: Soane Vikena, Oscar Cowley-Andrea, Hamdamn Tuipulotu, Ola Tauelangi, Ofa Topeni, Taufa Funaki, AJ Lam, Codemeru Vai.
