Otago sevens sides will venture north today for a tournament which should get its reward next month.
The Otago men’s and women’s sides are heading north to play in a small tournament organised for South Island sides heading to the national sevens tournament in Rotorua on January 14 and 15.
South Island sides have traditionally struggled at the national tournament and one of the main reasons has been a lack of match play.
Teams from the North Island have many tournaments leading up to the national tournament and are match sharp when it comes around.
To combat that problem, the South Island teams have got together and will have a hit-out at Malvern Park, in Christchurch, over the weekend.
It is more of a hit-out then a proper competition. It was to have been in Picton, and then Nelson, but has now been shifted to Christchurch, due to the Kaikoura earthquake, which impacted on travel plans.
Wellington was going to line up if it was further north but the sides from the capital are no longer coming.
The Otago men’s team will play against Canterbury, South Canterbury and Southland today and will have a couple of games against Canterbury tomorrow.
The women’s side will play against Canterbury and Tasman with two matches against Canterbury tomorrow. Southland sides are not heading to Christchurch for the weekend.
The Otago men’s team will be without new national representative Jonathan Ruru, who is resting, while speedster Eroni Sotutu has picked up a knee injury. Otago will take a squad of 16 to Christchurch.It has been drawn with Auckland, Wellington and Horowhenua-Kapiti in its pool at the national sevens tournament.
The sides will have a couple of weeks off before coming together on January 5 to start training for the national tournament.