Otago coach Tom Donnelly has rewarded some of the best Dunedin club players with a place in the starting side for the preseason game against Southland in Gore tomorrow afternoon.
Green Island centre Levi Harmon shone in the club final with two tries to help his side clinch a 21-15 win over Dunedin and secure their first senior banner in 46 years.
He has been named to start at centre and will be joined in the run-on team by Southern outside back Mackenzie Palmer, Kaikorai flanker Lucas Casey, Dunedin lock James Bolton and University second-rower Ale Aho.
Green Island hooker and captain Heath MacEwan, Harbour forward Taylor Dale and Dunedin outside back Kyan Rangitutia are on a 10-strong bench, and everyone is expected to get a run.
Otago have some holes out wide, so the likes of Palmer and Rangitutia will be determined to do well, particularly after the union declared it was looking to plug the gaps with some players from outside the region.
Palmer has a reputation for shining during the big games. He scored three tries to help Southern win the 2017 club final and he produced more magic in the 2022 final.
His tactical kicking game has also been instrumental in Southern’s success in recent years — the Magpies won back-to-back finals in 2022 and 2023.
Casey, who played for North Otago in the Heartland Championship last year, is another interesting selection. He has been potent for Kaikorai when he gets out in the wide channels and will get the first chance to impress in the No7 jersey.
Harry Taylor is the only specialist openside in the Otago squad and he will start tomorrow’s game from the bench.
Front-rowers Abraham Pole and George Bower will skip the first 40 minutes as well, and Highlanders duo Cameron Millar and James Arscott have been named on the bench.
Millar and Arscott are building a combination at first five and halfback that shapes as critical for Otago’s prospects.
Experienced winger Jona Nareki will also make an appearance from the bench.
Ajay Faleafaga gets the first crack in the No 10 jersey and Nathan Hastie starts at halfback.
The game will be livestreamed on the Southland Stags Facebook page.
Otago get their NPC campaign under way against the Stags in Invercargill on August 10.
Otago team
To play the Stags
Sam Gilbert, Josh Whaanga, Levi Harmon, Jack Leslie, Mackenzie Palmer, Ajay Faleafaga, Nathan Hastie, Will Stodart, Lucas Casey, Oliver Haig, Ale Aho, James Bolton, Rohan Wingham, Henry Bell, Benjamin Lopas. Reserve: Heath MacEwan, Abraham Pole, George Bower, Sam Fischli, Harry Taylor, James Arscott, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Taylor Dale, Kyan Rangitutia.
