Otago v. Auckland

[Kiwiwomble]

Otago Otago: Glenn Dickson, Joe Hill, Ben Atiga, Sam Giddens, Buxton Popoali'i, Tony Brown, Sean Romans, Gareth Evans, Eben Joubert (captain), Regan Tamihere, Tom Donnelly, Daniel Ramsay, Kees Meeuws, Liam Coltman, Halani Aulika.
Reserves: Peter Mirrielees, James McGougan, Rob Verbakel, TJ Ioane, Johnny Legg, Jayden Spence, Hayden Parker, Scott Manson.

so the same team that delt to North Harbour (Coltman) having come on so early

I have a lot more faith in this team after seeing how they came together last week, Auckland will be a big test but and extra week together and with some confidence should mean we can make this a competition!

I do hope we have more depth than just this 15 or we will risk repeating the highalnders mistake of running out of gas, will be interesting to see if Hayden Parker gets a little run

ps. according to the table above we are top f the Premiership AND the Championship....last game was good but prob not that good!

 

[markshaw]

Go Aux

 

[Darwin]

Otago Otago: Glenn Dickson, Joe Hill, Ben Atiga, Sam Giddens, Buxton Popoali'i, Tony Brown, Sean Romans, Gareth Evans, Eben Joubert (captain), Regan Tamihere, Tom Donnelly, Daniel Ramsay, Kees Meeuws, Liam Coltman, Halani Aulika.
Reserves: Peter Mirrielees, James McGougan, Rob Verbakel, TJ Ioane, Johnny Legg, Jayden Spence, Hayden Parker, Scott Manson.

so the same team that delt to North Harbour (Coltman) having come on so early

I have a lot more faith in this team after seeing how they came together last week, Auckland will be a big test but and extra week together and with some confidence should mean we can make this a competition!

I do hope we have more depth than just this 15 or we will risk repeating the highalnders mistake of running out of gas, will be interesting to see if Hayden Parker gets a little run

ps. according to the table above we are top f the Premiership AND the Championship....last game was good but prob not that good!

Could be quite a close game given Auckland only have a very short turn-around since their last match. I haven't seen the Auckland team yet, but I heard on the radio that they have made 10 changes from their team that lost to Canterbury.

EDIT: The Auckland team to face Otago on Wednesday night at Eden Park (kick-off 7.35pm) is:
1. Tevita Mailau (Papatoetoe)
2. Ash Dixon (University)
3. Angus Ta’avao (Marist)
4. Richard Haddon (Ponsonby)
5. Josh Townsend (University)
6. Sean Polwart (University)
7. Daniel Braid (University)
8. Chris Lowrey (Ponsonby)
9. Toby Morland (College Rifles)
10. Gareth Anscombe (Ponsonby)
11. Viliame Waqaseduadua (Marist)
12. Winston Stanley (Ponsonby)
13. Teddy Stanaway (University)
14. Joe Rokocoko (Papatoetoe)
15. Hadleigh Parkes (Grammar Carlton)

16. Tom McCartney (Pakuranga)
17. Pauliasi Manu (University)
18. Nathan Hughes (Suburbs)
19. Onosa’i Auva’a (Grammar Carlton)
20. Auvasa Faleali’i (Marist)
21. Piers Francis (Marist)
22. George Moala (Grammar Carlton)
23. Charlie Faumuina (Papatoetoe)


Certainly plenty of talented young players in the Auckland side, but definately lacking experience. I feel Otago may have an edge in the tight-forwards (though Ta'avao is very promising). The loose-forward battle will certainly be interesting, with both teams having plenty of mobility here. The halves and midfield look reasonably evenly matched, but I feel Auckland may have an edge out wide with Rokocoko and Waqaseduadua (who has returned from France). It's great to see Waqaseduadua back as he's very exciting player to watch.

Overall I'm picking Auckland to take it by 5 points, but am really hoping Otago can pull off the win again!

 

[Kiwiwomble]

brain agrees with your prediction Darwin...the heart on the other hand

 

[Amobokoboko]

Was a really good game. good to see Roks score two tries. Even more better was the fact that Meeuws is still playing for Otago.

 

[markshaw]

Otago were mean. This Premiership/Championship thing makes no sence. They could beat Canturbury

 

[Amobokoboko]

True, I reckon this should be a good season.

 

[Darwin]

Great result for Otago - apparently their first win in Auckland for something like 35 years!

I think Otago has done a great job recruiting this year, and have managed to put together a very competitive first XV.... it will be interesting to see how Otago do when they are forced to play a weakened side due to a short turnaround period (as Auckland was forced to last night).

Joubert has really proved to be an inspirational leader so far this year; if he can get through the year without getting injured he could be a great addition to the Highlanders. I really like the impact young TJ Ioane makes whenever he comes on - I'm surprised Wellington didn't try harder to hold onto him! One of the biggest additions this season is that of Tony Brown, as he has directed a pretty inexperienced backline well, allowing talents like Popoali'i to flourish.

 

[DorceOutSide]

expecting a big preformance from Gareth Anscombe.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Eben has been huge over the last couple of games, a quietish first half and then exploded in the second, maybe all south african rugby players ain't that bad

I also hope we have the depth

I till think Tony should be training with the AB's, he could teach them some stuff about closing out a game, kicking under pressure etc....and thumping anyone not wearing the same jersey he is!

the big change i think, we actually took the chances we were given, even if it was only a penalty or something, we came away with points whenever we could

as for the comp....its our own fault, we were last last year, its not like it was drawn out of a hat, i said at the time i thought it might actually be good for otago rugby, start from scratch and it is looking promising.

some might consider it lame but im right on board now "tusks up!" for the Otago Razorbacks

 

[Darwin]

I think Otago's depth will be tested on Sunday against Hawkes Bay; It wouldn't surprise me if we see as many as 10 changes to the starting lineup. I really get the feeling that the team that wins the competition this year may not necessarily be the best team, but rather the team with the best depth (or the team that manages its players the best). Otago is certainly off to a great start though!

 

[Larksea]

Gotta Love the ITM cup, gutted I missed most of this game but it's great to see Otago do well. For sure there are some players in this team that can help to add some much needed depth to the Highlanders. It would also be good to see Otago become a Real force in NZ again. On the other hand Southland are finding it tough going.

 

[TRF_woosaah]

we will find out if they can beat canterbury in the last round of the competition where Otago host Canterbury at the first game at FMG Stadium.

i wouldnt mind driving down for that one... but dont see that happen.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

we will find out if they can beat canterbury in the last round of the competition where Otago host Canterbury at the first game at FMG Stadium.

i wouldnt mind driving down for that one... but dont see that happen.

FMG? you mean the Forsyth Barr Stadium? I would have loved if Canterbury the first game there but it will be Manawatu with Southand the last at the Brook

If Eben keep going as he is then we may have a good replacement for Soakai in the highlanders as well as Otago