New Otago prop Halani Aulika has been hit by a suspension stemming from an incident in Auckland club rugby and is out of tomorrow's match against Counties-Manukau.
But his loss is a gain for Heriot prop Blair Young, who has been named on the bench and could become the first player from the country club to represent Otago since hooker Paul Smith played two games in 1996.
Aulika has been stood down until August 15 from all rugby after an incident in an Auckland club match on July 10.
Auckland club rugby manager Matt McHardy said Aulika was playing for his Otahuhu club against University and dived into a player with his knees after the player had scored a try.
The match officials did not see the incident but Aulika was cited by officials from the University club.
One hearing was cancelled after Aulika did not appear, but at a hearing last Tuesday he was suspended from all rugby for four weeks for the incident, meaning he could not play until August 15, McHardy said.
Otago is appealing the incident - a hearing is due next week - and coach Phil Mooney said yesterday he could not comment on the issue as it was under appeal.
Aulika's suspension is a bonus for for Young, who featured in Otago's two pre-season warm-up games.
Mooney said he had been impressed by the prop's work at the set piece and mobility around the paddock.
Two new caps have been named in the starting XV for Otago's first game in the ITM Cup.
Fullback Chris Small gets a start and second five-eighth Josh Tatupu will team up with Ben Smith in the midfield.
New Zealand Colts hooker Liam Coltman is on the bench and will likely get his first cap, while winger Joe Hill is another new boy on the bench.
Mooney said there had been good competition among the squad to make the 22.
He felt lock Josh Townsend and centre Paula Kinikinilau were particularly unlucky not to make the squad for the game.
"There were some tough choices to make but both David [assistant coach David Latta] and I agreed that it is a good problem to have. It is better to be in that position than being forced to pick guys who are not playing well," he said.
He said as the South Island second-tier competition got under way involving Otago B, Otago Colts and Otago Country, players from the A team would drop down and play when needed.
That competition starts on August 14.
Veteran prop Kees Meeuws will be at loosehead tomorrow and University A prop Sam Hibbard will play on his preferred tighthead side.
Seko Kalou will lock the scrum with Hayden Triggs.
First five-eighth Chris Noakes has been cleared of a broken bone in his ankle but faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after a training injury on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, former All Black captain Tana Umaga has been cleared to play for Counties-Manukau and will start in the second five-eighth position.
He had been sore after a couple of tough pre-season matches, and had also had the flu, but he will play.
Counties-Manukau's obvious strength lies in the backline, with speedsters Sherwin Stowers and Tim Nanai-Williams, while veteran hooker Grant Henson returns to the side after a couple of years away.
