Otago Rugby Union eNewsletter - 22 September 2023

Editorial

Good Afternoon Otago Rugby supporters.

It will be a big weekend for our 4 Otago Spirit players selected for the Black Ferns XV Squad. All 4 Spirit ladies have been named to start v Manusina XV on Saturday and we couldn't be more proud!!! Wishing our ladies the best of luck! More details below.

Our NPC men are headed to FMG Stadium this weekend to take on Waikato. With the weather set to keep us indoors why not settle in and get behind the boys from the comfort of home this weekend. Kick off is Sunday 4.35pm. Keep an eye on our socials for our squad announcement!!!

This week we announced the Otago U18 girls squad heading to Christchurch to compete in the South Island U18 Tournament. Check out the squad full list below. Go well girls!!!

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 players in squad to take on Samoa

The Black Ferns XV have named their squad to face Manusina XV on Saturday

With a week’s preparation under their belt the Black Ferns XV team has been named to face Manusina XV in a one-off match at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe on Saturday (kick off 4.35pm).

Coaches Whitney Hansen, Linda Itunu and Peter Breen have named an in-form squad for the match which will be broadcast live on Sky Sport.

The Black Ferns XV to play Manusina XV is;
1.   Eilis Doyle
2.   Atlanta Lolohea
3.   Moomooga Palu
4.   Maama Vaipulu
5.   Laura Bayfield
6.   Holly Wratt-Groeneweg
7.   Leah Miles
8.   Elizabith Moimoi
9.   Di Hiini
10. Maia Joseph
11.   Harmony Kautai
12.   Grace Brooker - captain
13.   Cheyenne Cunningham
14.   Angelica Mekemeke-Vahai
15.   Tara Turner
16.   Vici-Rose Green
17.   Marcelle Parkes
18.   Esther Faiaoga-Tilo
19.   Emma Dermody
20.   Mia Anderson
21.   Kahlia Awa
22.   Rangamarie Sturmey
23.   Justine McGregor

With four Black Ferns Tests to her name, Canterbury midfielder Grace Brooker will captain the side and is one of three internationally capped players in the Black Ferns XV.

The other two, Marcelle Parkes and Esther Faiaoga-Tilo, will provide impact from the bench to the front row with Eilis Doyle, Atlanta Lolohea and Moomooga Palu anchoring the starting forward pack.

Maama Vaipulu and Laura Bayfield join up in the second row while Holly Wratt-Groeneweg, Leah Miles and Elizabith Moimoi form a dynamic loose forward trio.

Di Hiini and Maia Joseph combine at halfback and first five-eighths while Brooker will pair up with Cheyenne Cunningham in the midfield. There is plenty of youth and speed out wide with Harmony Kautai, Angelica Mekemeke-Vahai and Tara Turner rounding out the starting fifteen.

Vici-Rose Green provides cover at hooker, while Emma Dermody, Mia Anderson, Kahlia Awa, Rangimarie Sturmey and Justine McGregor will all add impact off the bench.

Black Ferns XV Head Coach Hansen recognised the one-week campaign has meant the squad had to come together quickly.

“We have some very special people in this group, management included, so it’s been easy for us all to connect. From a rugby perspective it’s been cool to see some connections that haven’t played together starting to gel and we’re excited to see that come to life on Saturday,” she said.

Fans can expect to be entertained when the team take the field.

“We want to play high tempo. It will be exciting to watch, our players have some special skill sets so there should be some creativity and risk taking in how they play,” Hansen said.

While the team are determined to put a good performance on the field, this week is about more than the on-field result.

“Success will be athletes coming out of this campaign having had the opportunity to express themselves and grown their understanding around what a high-performance rugby environment looks like.”

It's that time of year again…Registrations are now open for our Rakatahi teams whānau

This years Te Waipounamu Māori Rugby Rakatahi Tournament will be held in Ōtepoti Saturday 7th October 2023U17 Tāne/Kōhine and U15 Tāne/Kōhine: https://forms.gle/mmMkdE3FAf3WJkum7*

U17: Born 2006-2007, must be under 17 as of 1/01/2023*

U15: Born 2008-2009, must be under 15 as of 1/01/2023

Once you’ve registered keep an eye out on your emails and this Facebook page for further details around training details. We are excited to see you all again whānau!

Any Otago Māori Under 15 girls wanting to play in a up coming tournament on 7th October in Dunedin.

Trainings Thursday 5:30pm at Zingari rugby club.

Contact Erin Adams

0274431458 Erin.adams2@hotmail.co.nz

Simon Berry and Whitestone Cheese are long term supporters of Otago Rugby and this year they jumped on board to support our Associate Referee program by providing them with these fantastic bibs. They enable clear identification of who has the whistle out on the field and highlights that the people in the bibs have completed our Associate Referee course. If you are interested in completing our Associate Referee course or want to become a Registered Referee please contact Brandon Hale on brandon.hale@orfu.co.nz

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.