SEASON PREVIEW APRIL 2021 - Otago Rugby
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SEASON PREVIEW APRIL 2021
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Zingari-Richmond
2020 Finished: 9th
Last Champions: 1968
The men from Montecllio are ready and bracing for a massive 2021 season up on
the hill as Head Coach Craig Sneddon returns to the head coach role for another
year alongside his able Assistants Rodney Stringer and Trevor Shanks. News out
of the Zingari-Richmond camp this year is that Veteran Dragon Chris Bell will be
taking over the leadership duties for Dragons and with the amount of experience
under his belt the Zingari-Richmond faithful can certainly rest assured that he is a
very suited man for the job. A passionate club with an extremely proud history
expect the Dragons to absolutely throw everything into this year’s competition and
cause a few upsets amongst the giants.
Players to Watch – Chris Bell as mentioned above, amassing over 250 Premier
Games is moving closely to becoming the most capped Metropolitan Premier
player of all time, whenever this man dons the black, red, and yellow hoops there
is no shortage of effort and determination. Expect the big fella to be always
fighting till the 80th minute and do everything he can for his beloved Dragons. In
the backs Zingari-Richmond will again rely on the very talented Keenan Masina to
spark it up from the midfield while the speed of Chris McNoe and Ratu Karamaena CAPTAIN: CHRIS BELL
out wide will give the Dragons plenty of try scoring opportunities. Pending
selection Highlander Nehe Milner-Skudder also looks set to turn out regular
appearances for the Dragons.
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Green Island
2020 Finished: 8th
Last Champions: 1978
While things did not quite go to plan in the “Year of the Hunt” for the Grizzlies in
2020, Coaches Dean Moeahu and Erik Va’afusuaga looks to have assembled the
makings of a very competitive Green Island side in 2021. Blockbusting Number 8
Dylan Nel returns to the Grizzlies after a year away with the Chiefs and will take on
leadership responsibilities for the season alongside club stalwart Samuel Eriepa.
The Grizzlies will have no shortage of experience in this year’s side as Josh Clark
returns from North Otago and will pair up in the locks with the hardworking Woody
Kirkwood. There is X-Factor galore in the backs for the Grizzlies this year as Otago
halfback James Arscott returns to the number 9 jersey and will look to spark a
formidable combination with the talented Finn Strawbridge. Arguably lacking
power in the midfield last year Green Island will welcome back the very skilled
Raymond Nu’u into the fold with open arms as he looks to form a destructive
combination with new recruit Levi Harmon who has big wraps from club rugby in
Wellington. On paper the Grizzlies look a very balanced team this year with the mix
of old and new, keep your eyes peeled as they will certainly be rattling the cage for
a top 4 spot.
Players to Watch – Dylan Nel, we all know what this man can do with the ball in CAPTAIN: DYLAN NEL
hand expect him to carry strong and be all over the park. Shane Fikken the talented
prop from Timaru Boys returns to the front row and will look to build on a very
impressive premier season last year.
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Alhambra-Union
2020 Finished: 7th
Last Champions: 2008
It was close but no cigar for the Broncos last year as they just missed out on a
playoffs spot courtesy of a couple close results not going in their favour. However,
2021 is a new year and the Alhambra-Union side are refreshed and ready for
another crack at making the finals for the first time in over a decade. John Hyde
returns to the Head Coach role and we be assisted by Kilifi Fangupo who is a
newcomer to the Metropolitan competition scene Alex “Froody” Fraito will
jockey the Broncos this year and he has a very capable group of lads in the stable
to help them strive for that ultimate goal. In the forwards the Broncos have some
young handy talent in the form of Otago Under 19s Representative Keenan Rush
who is a dynamic flanker and hooker Arthur Allen has also made the shift from
University eyeing up some more Premier opportunities. The Alhambra-Union
backline is riddled with speed and skill with the exciting halves combination of
Noah Hotham and Kody Edwards looking to form a dynamic duo. Levi Emery who
was rewarded with an Otago contract last year will again look to have another
stella year for the Broncos at the back. Things look very promising for the men
from North Ground this year do not be surprised if you see the Alhambra-Union
side creeping into the playoffs for 2021.
CAPTAIN: ALEX FRAITO
Players to Watch – Noah Hotham the ex-Hamilton Boys High School student has
come down to Dunedin for study and has massive wraps throughout the
schoolboy rugby scene, a bullet pass with a dynamic running game expect Noah
to shine for AU this year. Also the brother of ex Broncos captain Legin Hotham –
Noah will wear the crest with family pride.
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Dunedin
2020 Finished: 4th
Last Champions: 2013
It is a massive year for the Dunedin Rugby Football Club this year as they celebrate
their 150th anniversary. A lot of work has gone in to make this year special for the
Sharks and the scenes come Queens Birthday weekend will certainly be a memorable
one for those both past and present of the club. There are some quality coaches to
help steer the Sharks towards a banner this year as Steve Mowat returns to the helm
assisted by Mike Maguire and John Sherratt. The Sharks also welcome in ex-Kings
1st XV coaches Ryan Bambry and Will Henry who will bring innovation and creativity
into the Dunedin game. The Sharks have named a strong squad very capable of
being a title contender this year, in the Forwards Captain Jamie Mowat will be a vital
cog at flanker while the tall timber duo of Jack Regan and Fabian Holland will ensure
quality lineout ball for a talented Sharks backline. Oscar Schmidt-Uili was in
sensational try scoring form last year and again will be a weapon for the Dunedin
backline on the edges, Kegan Christian-Goss was also very impressive in the midfield
last year and was rewarded with Otago Development opportunities expect him to
back that up again in 2021. The face of the Dunedin team George Witana will also
look to be so ever elusive from the back. It’s all go at Kettle Park this year for the
Sharks, congratulations on a fantastic achievement – enjoy the celebrations. CAPTAIN: JAMIE MOWAT
Players to Watch – Fabian Holland fresh out of Christchurch Boys High School has
made his way down to Dunedin to study and comes with a great rugby pedigree
having been involved in the NZ schools setup. Sam Rainger has been a standout
player for the Premier Colts and has earned his spot at Premier Rugby level, a man
with a massive motor who will go the full eighty.
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Kaikorai
2020 Finished: 5th
Last Champions: 2016
When the Demons side walked off the field in their narrow loss to Otago University,
they would have all but assured that the Eels would take care of 6th placed
Southern. It was not to be, and a title contender was knocked out in the quarter
finals. Kaikorai will be hungry to get back to finals rugby and have the side to get
them there. The Loose forward trio battle will be hotly contested with Jake Russ
returning from injury and Slade McDowall again looking to dominate collisions.
One of the most notable returning faces is ex-Otago captain Paul Grant to has
finished up playing in the UK. The last time Paul was in the demons colours they
won the competition in 2016, the man brings a cool head and a ‘get things done
when it counts’ attitude. Also welcome back from England to Kadin Brocks, the ex
OBHS graduate will bring depth to the halfback contest with young Kane Johnson.
Coach Roger Cotton will have the expectation of returning to the playoffs and
looking at the side on paper it has the cattle and depth to get there.
Players to Watch – Henry Bell has made the move from University to get regular
starts at his preferred position of hooker, he made his Otago NPC debut and will
be an able replacement for Flynn Thomas. Grayson Knapp has been rewarded with CAPTAIN: GRAYSON KNAPP
his 2020 form for Kaikorai and will captains the Demons in 2021. He was in the
Otago setup last year but didn’t get a chance on-field however his contribution was
massive, says a lot about the man’s character and will be a fearless leader the young
lads in the team will follow.
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Southern
2020 Finished: 4th
Last Champions: 2017
The Magpies will be without one of the most known faces in club rugby over the
past decade with the retirement of veteran Hisa Sasagi following an illustrious
career. Proud southern men at the helm in the coaching setup all return from last
year. Herden, Moffat, Kolo’ofai and Smith will be hoping their men can emulate
their performance in last year’s quarter final more consistently over the season and
they have picked up some handy additions to enable them to do so. Graham
Urquhart has joined the magpies and is a great get in his paring with standout Riku
Kitahara will be a dangerous duo. Dr Maika will return as the skipper and be able
assisted in the forward pack by young up incoming Izaak Parata and Harry Taylor.
Southern show if they are given a sniff, they take it with both hands and were a
dive away from being in last year’s final. The proud club will be aiming to take it
one step further in 2021.
Players to Watch – Jack Leslie son of Otago legend John Leslie is looking fit and
can cover multiple positions for the Magpies. Joe Cairns has recovered from his
shoulder injury, he is downed the tools and is looking fit and strong his physical
presence will set the standard. Graham Urquhart is a confident young kid and
CAPTAIN: JERMAYNE MAIKA
magpies supporters will be thinking they have finally found their replacement for
former halfback and winner captain Josh Walden.
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Harbour
2020 Finished: 3rd
Last Champions: 2018
Hawks fans will be itching to get into the club rugby season after several key
players return as well as exciting recruits out of Wellington club footy. The notable
omission for early part of the season will be 2020’s breakthrough player Charles
Elton as he recovers from his achilles injury sustained in the last round robin game
for Otago. They man they call Chuck should return for the hawks in May in time
for the Gallaway Trophy round. Watch out for try scoring machine Viliame Fine
who should find himself on the wing most weekends out at Watson Park. The tall
and athletic Fine was last year’s top try scorer in Wellington club rugby, he and
Bruce Kauika-Paterson and William Tufui have moved South for a fresh
opportunity and will be looking to stap their mark for their new team. Kauika-
Paterson is a tough rangy hooker who will pair up in a mammoth front row
alongside Saula Ma’u and the Pole brothers. Ma’u who was injured in the middle
of last year but has trained the house down over the last 8 months with both Otago
and Highlanders is looking in devastating condition and the gentle giant will be
jumping out of his skin to play week in week out footy. Ewan Brumwell gets a well
earned call up to wear the captains arm band after being a rock in the midfield
over the last several seasons he partners James Tomkinson as the other co-
captain. The Hawks players and coaches will be doing their best to be there come
CAPTAIN: EWAN BRUMWELL
finals time, just like they have done so well over the past 5-6 seasons.
Players to Watch – Viliame Fine has no trouble finding the line, Taylor Dale will be
a brute force and good to welcome back Austin Atiga from Auckland. Nathan
Hastie will return from the Under 20 national competition and settle in to his
second season of Premier rugby.
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Otago University
2020 Finished: 2nd
Last Champions: 2019
Youthful students look to catapult younger colt’s players into Premier ranks. The
bookworms have lost some familiar faces following completion of their studies
but like all good University sides of previous eras they will bring through colt’s
players who have proven themselves and are ready to make the next step. Kilipati
Lea has come back 30kgs lighter and looking in superb nic he will be looking to
be a leader up front alongside newly appointed captain Josh Hill. Hill replaces
Jack Mchugh who has headed back north, the South Otago product has become
a key weapon in the forward pack and is running round the fields with that well
known cheesy grin. Out the back Giovanni and Josh Timu will be one of the most
dangerous midfield competitions starting the Premier competition. Expectations
for those in the bookworms club is finals footy and nothing less.
Players to Watch – Harry Press will look to lock down the hooking spot with the
departure of Henry Bell to Kaikorai. James Bolton is looking fit and ready for a
big club season after rehabbing a few niggle injuries. Noah Perelini has come
south from Auckland, the former Kings College student comes with pedigree and CAPTAIN: JOSH HILL
will be definitely one to watch. One cannot forget Sean Withy has was last year
named Player of the Year at only 19 years of age.
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Taieri
2020 Finished: 1st
Last Champions: 2020
The Eels faithful welcome back championship winning coach Jason
Macdonald to PJ Park after spending the last few seasons plying his trade in
Japan. He will work in alongside Kurt Hammer who returns as assistant coach
and the wiry well-respected Murray Roulston. There will be no shortage of
experienced campaigners back for the 2020 championship winners as they
hope to continue the momentum in to season 2021. The locking pair of Ben
Morris and Don Lolo will form a formidable locking combination, great to see
them back on the park. Selection issues will be rife trying to pick 3 starting
loose forwards each week with young Leroy Ferguson and Nick Henderson
battling out with the near hundred gamer Brodie Hume and newly capped
Otago loose forward Sam Fischli. In the back line, they have lost Corey McKay
but Brayden Laing will fill the pivot role and ex OBHS player Cam Miller is
sure to see some Premier minutes. Mitchell Scott if available, will again be
the most valuable in the back three. 8 teams chasing to knock off last years
winners and if you look at the side and the depth it is going to be a tough
challenge.
Players to Watch – Brodie Hume and Glen Beadle both on 93 games looking CAPTAIN: BEN MORRIS
to bring up their 100th for the beloved club. Cam Millar, first five eight with
a huge ceiling and can kick goals from everywhere. Sam Fishcli and Brady
Robertson will look to continue s
trong performances in the 2021 season.
| |OUR Game, OUR Referees…
2021 is shaping up to be another exciting year for our match officials. The
region is very fortunate to have the services and experience of Jono Bredin
and James Doleman. Jono capped a meteoric rise through the rugby
refereeing ranks by debuting as a Super Rugby assistant referee in 2020, as
well as debut in the Mitre 10 Cup. Doleman officiated the 2020 Mitre 10
Championship Final and is now a valuable member of the Super Rugby
panel. It is great to see both push on and we look forward to seeing them
in Club Rugby this in 2021.
Alongside these two, we had Jono Homer as an AR in the Super Rugby pre
season in Alex earlier this season and he will continue to do great things
alongside our great referees in the country this year. We have had a few
notable referees leave the region over the last year, so we are asking all of
rugby to help rugby and source some great new blood to service the game
we love.
These are our referees; these are our volunteers, let’s get behind them.
JONO BREDIN
If you are interested or know of someone who would be keen to “Be In The
Game”, please contact Tumua.ioane@orfu.co.nz
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