Otago Rugby Union eNewsletter

Editorial

Both our NPC lads and Otago Spirit lasses are on the road to take on Taranaki this Saturday! Catch the girls game on Sky Sport 1, with a 12.05pm kick off, followed by the lads at 2.05pm. Full team lists below both with potential player debuts!!!

If you've been thinking about coming down to the Stadium next Saturday to support our NPC and FPC team's in their final Double Header of the season, NOW is the time to buy! We are offering 50% off all tickets purchased online before 12pm tomorrow (Saturday 31 August) use PROMO CODE: OTAGO on the payment screen at checkout. To pu1rchase tickets go online to https://orfu.flicket.co.nz/ Come on down and throw your support behind our players!!! OTAAAAGOOOOOOO!!!!!

We've more Otago Representative fixtures taking place this weekend. If you're in the Invercargill or Maheno area's check out your options to get out and support our up and coming players below!

Otago Rugby/Otago Polytech 2025 scholarship applications are now open. Scroll down for more information.

The 2024 NPC & FPC Draws are out! Scroll down to check out our Games, or check out the full Draws here… FULL NPC DRAW, FULL FPC DRAW.

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

ODT Interesting Reads!

Otago Country retain Donaghys Shield after strong start
Classy winger back for Otago
Big changes made to Spirit forward pack

Otago Head Coach Tom Donnelly has named his side to play against Taranaki in the fourth round of the Bunnings Warehouse NPC this Saturday 31 August, 2:05pm at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth.

The team welcomes back left wing Jona Nareki from mandatory HIA leave, as well as Will Tucker who is back from injury. Prop Moana Takataka could make his Otago and First Class debut off the bench.

Unfortunately, Sam Gilbert sustained a toe injury following the Bay of Plenty game and is now unavailable for selection. Therefore, Thomas Umaga-Jensen will move to second five, and Josh Whaanga will move to centre.

Christian Lio-Willie will lead the team as Captain.

Players unavailable: Sam Gilbert, Tom Sanders, Jake Te Hiwi, Jeremiah Asi, Jack Leslie, Josh Timu, Abraham Pole.

What a superb day in the sun yesterday for the Metro Rippa Tournament!

About 1300 children representing 107 teams in years 3 to 8 competed across 18 fields on the Logan Park grounds. Thanks to all those schools who entered teams! It was a great turnout

Otago NPC and Spirit FPC players helped Otago Boys’ High School and Queen’s High School students referee the games.

Unbeaten teams were Balaclava Breakers, Elmgrove and Strath Taieri (boys years 3-4), George Street Normal and East Taieri Pink (girls years 3-4), St Clair, East Taieri Black and Elmgrove Thunder (boys years 5-6), Musselburgh, Elmgrove Hawks, East Taieri and St Clair (girls years 5-6), Balmacewen (boys years 7-8) and Tahuna Albatross (girls years 7-8).

This week we had our first round of the Girls ONLY Tackle competition in Queenstown. Aria has been working her way through the Otago Country schools upskilling those interested in giving tackle a go with the basic fundamentals of rugby in preparation for the competition. This is a free, five week initiative for those keen to play with like minded girls in a safe and fun environment. We had an awesome turnout at the Frankton Events Centre on Monday the 26th August with over 80 girls from year 5 to year 8 across the two grades (year 5/6 girls and year 7/8 girls). Bring on round 2, Monday 2nd of September - same time, same place! No commitment needed - email your expression of interest to aria.monaghan@orfu.co.nz let’s grow the girls game together!

In 2015 Otago Polytechnic (OP) with the Otago Rugby Football Union (ORFU) established the
ORFU scholarship to assist students with both sporting and academic aspirations.
Two Scholarships will be offered at the discretion of the ORFU for FULL payment of fees for one year of a chosen programme at OP.

The following conditions apply:

2 FULL fees scholarships for one year of full-time study will be awarded at the discretion of the Otago Rugby Football Union for study starting in the year 2025.
This scholarship applies to Domestic students only.
Candidates for the scholarship must be nominated by the Otago Rugby Football Union.
Candidates must meet minimum entry requirements for their programme of choice.
The scholarship may be held concurrently with other awards/grants, subject to approval of Otago Polytechnic
Otago Polytechnic and the Otago Rugby Football Union has the power to terminate the scholarship if the recipient ceases to follow regulations of the programme of study and/or bring the reputation of the Otago Polytechnic or the Otago Rugby Football Union into disrepute.

Please note that receiving an ORFU endorsed Otago Polytech Scholarship does not guarantee a place in the Women’s or Men’s Academies for 2025.

Application forms can be found here

For further information please email Ryan Bambry ryan.bambry@orfu.co.nz