Otago Rugby Union eNewsletter - 15 September 2023

Editorial

Good Afternoon Otago Rugby supporters.

This Saturday we go again under the roof! The boys take on Taranaki and looking for back to back wins after finishing storm week on a well fought win. Kick off is Saturday 16 September - 7:05pm at Forsyth Barr Stadium. It's SUPERHERO SATURDAY so come dressed as your favourite superhero, we also have a prize for the kid with the best costume!!!

A massive congratulations to our 4 Otago Spirit players selected for the Black Ferns XV Squad. Wishing our ladies the best of luck when they take on Manusina XV next Saturday! More details below.

Speaking of national achievements we couldn't be more proud of the 6 players from Otago that have been selected across all 3 teams announced this week. NZ Schools, New Zealand Barbarian Under 18 and New Zealand Māori Under 18 Ngā Whatukura Boys teams. More details below, wishing all lads selected the best of luck!

There's plenty of Rep Rugby taking place this weekend in Dunedin, Balclutha, Oamaru and Gore. All games kick off at 1pm so if you're in the area be sure to head down and check out Otago's up and coming talent! More details below.

The 2023 NPC & FPC Draws are out now! Scroll down to check out our Home Games, or check out the full NPC Draw here and FPC Draw here.

Scroll down for more rugby news and announcements like development opportunities, weekly happenings, rugby courses and more…

ODT Interesting Reads!

Otago Head Coach Tom Donnelly has named his side to play against Taranaki in the seventh round of the Bunnings Warehouse NPC this Saturday 16th September, 7:05pm at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Tickets are available from https://orfu.flicket.co.nz/

Sam Gilbert and Sean Withy will lead as Co-Captains.

Just a reminder that the ORFU are implementing the ticketing initiative again this year called ‘For the Love of Club’ that aims to return money directly to Clubs and Referees within the Otago province through allocating funds from every ticket sold online to an Otago NPC/FPC home game. People who purchase online either an Otago Rugby Season Membership or a Match Day ticket will be able to nominate which of Otago’s 33 Clubs or Otago Rugby Referees Association (ORRA) they wish to support. For more information please check out the ORFU website www.orfu.co.nz or the Otago Rugby Facebook page.

Congratulations to all players from Otago selected into the following squads!

2023 New Zealand Schools team:

Dylan Pledger – Kings High School

Quinten Holland – Kings High School

2023 New Zealand Barbarian U18 team:

Kyan Rangitutia – Dunedin RFC

Riley Lucas – Green Island RFC

2023 New Zealand Māori U18 team:

Joe Parkinson - Ngāi Tahu/Kāi Tahu – Otago Boys High School

Phoenix Tapatu - Ngāi Tahu/Kāi Tahu – Otago Boys High School

Schedule

Saturday 23 September - St Pauls Collegiate, Hamilton

New Zealand Māori U18 v Northland U19, 12.00pm kick-off

New Zealand Schools v NZ Barbarian U18, 2.00pm kick-off

Thursday 28 September - St Pauls Collegiate, Hamilton

New Zealand Māori U18 v New Zealand Barbarian U18, 12.00pm kick-off

New Zealand Schools Trans-Tasman

Thursday 28 September - Viking Park, Canberra, Australia

Australia U18 v New Zealand Schools, 2.05pm (AEST)/4.05pm (NZT) kick-off

Monday 2 October - Viking Park, Canberra, Australia

Australia U18 v New Zealand Schools, 12.05pm (AEST)/2.05pm (NZT) kick-off

WXV is World Rugby's new, three level, elite women's 15s rugby tournament that kicks off in 2023, giving fans more opportunities to see the best teams and the biggest names in women's rugby compete on the global stage.

The inaugural WXV 1 tournament is being hosted here in Aotearoa New Zealand, building on the momentum and energy of Rugby World Cup 2021 (played in 2022). WXV 1 sees the top six teams in the world, including the Black Ferns, taking to the field in Wellington, Dunedin and Auckland over three weekends in October and November 2023.

Get your game on - Come and see the six BEST teams in world in action - all in just one weekend! See in the image attached the Dunedin fixtures:

England vs Canada - 27 October 7pm - Forsyth Barr Stadium

New Zealand vs Wales - 28 October 4pm - Forsyth Barr Stadium

France vs Australia - 28 October 7pm - Forsyth Barr Stadium

Buy tickets here: https://tickets.wxvrugby.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=wxv

It's that time of year again where the Referees swap the whistles for mouth guards in the annual, Otago v Southland Referees game!

This year Otago will be hosting at the newly refurbished Tahuna park when we look to reclaim the Dewar Cup.

Expressions of interest have gone out now for roles on gameday via this google form. Whether it's as a player or running out the oranges, there's a role for you!

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSe75C0mqtM.../viewform...

Team lists and Coaching announcements to come soon so keep your eyes peeled!

Spread the word amongst your mates and get there for what should be a fantastic occasion and a free BBQ running for all who attend courtesy of Mainfreight.

It's Mate against mate, expert law knowledge and some great banter on the cards come October 15th.