Otago has been given a major boost ahead of its semifinal tomorrow.
Blindside flanker Sam Fischli has been cleared to play and will start in the No 6 jersey.
It allows the team to field a largely unchanged line-up for its NPC Championship playoff match, against Manawatu in Palmerston North.
Fischli had been red-carded during last week’s match against Waikato, following a clumsy shoulder to the head.
Otago having already lost Sean Withy, to suspension, and Dylan Nel, who left to take up a contract in Japan, the incident threatened to leave the side short in the loose forwards.
However, Fischli was cleared by the judiciary this week.
Josh Dickson returns at lock in place of Will Tucker in the only change to the Otago line-up.
Fabian Holland keeps his spot in the reserves, while Tucker drops out of the team.
It leaves Otago with much the same team that has hit a strong run of form over the past month.
Last week’s 27-25 loss to Waikato, in which it played 20 minutes with 14 men, ended a three-match winning streak.
That had followed a three-match losing streak, which straddled the lockdown break.
Included in that were several of the NPC’s top teams, including Manawatu.
Manawatu was a convincing winner last time the team’s met.
However, Otago was in its first game back after a longer break and rust was evident.
The Turbos will notably be without halfback Aaron Smith, who has travelled to Europe to join the All Blacks for the end of their European tour.
