OTAGO

Peter White previews the seven teams contesting the NPC Championship.

JOSH IOANE will be a key player for Otago. Halfback KAYNE HAMMINGTON clears from a scrum.

OTAGO: LAST YEAR’S SEMI-FINALISTS

Otago have been in the NPC Championship since it began in 2011, without ever managing to win promotion to the top tier Premiership.

Could 2021 finally be the year that happens? Former All Blacks lock Tom Donnelly played 82 games for Otago and last year, after three seasons as assistant coach, he took the top job. Gaining promotion is a big focus for the team and there are plenty of top-class players. “I am pretty excited about the whole squad to be honest. We definitely have some quality in our backline but we also have some tough, hardworking forwards as well,” says Donnelly. “We have good experience with the likes of Matt Faddes back in the side and some youthful players who are going to bring heaps of energy.” The backline is full of Highlanders in halfbacks Kayne Hammington and James Ar scott, first-five Josh Ioane, midfielders Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Sio Tomkinson, plus outside backs Jona Nareki, Freedom Vahaakolo, Vilimoni Koroi and Sam Gilbert. Southland midfielder Ray Nu’u and Tongan Sevens representative Viliame Fine add further depth to the backline. Former All Black Ioane could be the key to Otago’s season. Donnelly says Ioane “is at his best when he is working hard, has something to strive for and is enjoying himself. “So, if we can get the combination of that right then I think we can get the best out of him.” Up front there is plenty of grunt as usual, with hooker Liam Coltman, props Jermaine Ainsley, Josh Hohneck and cousins Abraham Pole and Tevita Pole, lock Josh Dickson, plus loose forwards Slade McDowall and Dylan Nel. Otago will be captained by hardworking flanker James Lentjes, who Donnelly says is someone who sets high standards for himself and those around him. “He is very experienced and has big shoes to fill in Michael Collins, who has been our captain a long time. James has his chance to put his mark on the team and the legacy he will leave for the Otago jersey.” Teenage lock Fabian Holland is one of five players out of the Highlanders Under-20 side, along with flanker Sean Withy, halfback Nathan Hastie, midfielder Giovanni Leituala and first-five Cam Millar.

Those players will be developed over the season but should all get varying amounts of game time. All squad players are affiliated with local clubs, which is fundamental to the philosophy Donnelly and the Otago union want to encourage. “Something we have driven pretty hard is the success of our team is as a result of how good our club competition is down here. We try to promote and support the clubs as much as we can.”

Highlanders’ skills coach Riki Flutey and retired prop Jamie Mackintosh join Donnelly as assistant coaches.

COACH: TOM DONNELLY CAPTAIN: JAMES LENTJES HOME GROUND: FORSYTH BARR STADIUM, DUNEDIN WEBSITE: www.orfu.co.nz TICKETS: www.ticketek.co.nz ADDRESS: PO BOX 691, DUNEDIN 9054 PHONE: 03 477 0928 EMAIL: orfu@orfu.co.nz TAB ODDS: OTAGO $3.40