The University club has made the final of the women’s club competition this Saturday and within it there are some names familiar to Otago rugby.
The side is going for three wins in a row in the final and will take on Alhambra-Union in this year’s final at Logan Park at 12.30pm on Saturday.
University will line up Maia Joseph at halfback, the daughter of former Otago and All Black loose forward Jamie Joseph. Further out in the midfield is Meg Timu, the eldest daughter of former Otago and All Black winger John Timu.
In the midfield is Keely Hill (17), a South Otago High School year 12 pupil. She is the younger sister of Josh Hill, a promising lock who has trained with the Highlanders and played for Otago last year.
Alan Hill, the father of Josh and Keely, played many years for Otago Country as a winger.
Keely is in her first year in the team and travels up from Balclutha for training every week. She has already played for Otago under-18 and has been named in the Otago Spirit squad for this season.
Maia Joseph (18) started playing for the Southern club as a junior and has made junior NZ touch sides.
A year 13 pupil at Columba College, she plays halfback and has also been picked for the Otago Spirit squad.
Meg Timu (20) played flanker at school while at St Hilda’s Collegiate but is now more of a second five-eighth and centre.
A dental student, she can also cover the loose forwards if needed.
University assistant coach Terry Kerr said the girls were all encouraging and very competitive.
They were all natural ball players and brought plenty of energy to the team.
He said the families of all players were supportive and left the coaching up to the coaches and management.
The University team should start as favourite against Alhambra-Union, which upset Pirates 10-5 in the semifinal.
It is believed to be the first time Pirates will not be in the women’s club final since 2007.
University has won 18 of the 30 women’s banners over the years.
