Otago have made a couple of intriguing selections for their preseason game against Canterbury in Christchurch tomorrow afternoon.
Taieri loose forward Sam Fischli has been named at lock and will partner Highlander Fabian Holland, who missed last week’s warm-up game against Southland in Gore.
University second-rower Ale Aho will provide locking cover from the bench.
The other notable selection is at centre where Josh Timu returns to provincial rugby. He has had a horrific run of injuries and has clocked just five professional games in the past two years.
Timu will combine with Ajay Faleafaga in the midfield. Faleafaga started at first five against Southland but is being used in a second playmaker role in this fixture.
Club player of the year Mackenzie Palmer gets another opportunity, but this time from the bench. He bagged a couple of tries last week and did not look out of place at NPC level.
Otago have been vocal about the shortage of quality outside backs in the region and have said they are in the market for a winger.
But there has been no announcement of any signings, and this game would have been the perfect opportunity to blood a new player.
One area where Otago is brimming with talent is in the front row.
Former All Black George Bower is starting alongside man-mountain Saula Ma’u and hooker Henry Bell.
Fan favourite Liam Coltman has returned from a playing stint in France and the former All Black will join fellow front-rowers Abraham Pole, Rohan Wingham and Benjamin Lopas on the bench.
Otago’s spine looks strong, too. Cameron Millar will combine with James Arscott in the halves and Crusaders loose forward Christian Lio-Willie will anchor the scrum.
There is still no Finn Hurley as he pulled up tight after the club final, and injured lock Will Tucker is still two to three weeks away.
• All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby, the Blues and Auckland through to the end of 2025, RNZ reports.
Clarke, 25, said he was both proud and determined to add to his 21 test caps for the All Blacks and build on his contributions to the Blues in Super Rugby Pacific and Auckland in the NPC.
He started on the left wing during the All Blacks’ 47-5 win over Fiji in San Diego earlier this month, scoring his seventh test try.
Otago team
To play Canterbury
Sam Gilbert, Josh Whaanga, Josh Timu, Ajay Faleafaga, Jona Nareki, Cameron Millar, James Arscott, Christian Lio-Willie, Harry Taylor, Oliver Haig, Fabian Holland, Sam Fischli, Saula Ma’u, Henry Bell, George Bower. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Abraham Pole, Rohan Wingham, Ale Aho, Tom Sanders, Nathan Hastie, Kyan Rangitutia, Levi Harmon, Mackenzie Palmer, Benjamin Lopas, Lucas Casey.
