Otago Rugby Union eNewsletter

Editorial

What a week for our 2 Otago lads, Fabian Holland and Christian Lio-Willie!!! We could not be more proud to see these two men receive recognition for their exceptional talents by being named in the first All Blacks Squad of 2025. After initially being named as injury cover, Christian was officially pulled into the squad yesterday to replace an injured Wallace Sititi. Here's hoping for a double debut in Dunedin next weekend!!!

This weekend marks the final round robin games for Div 1 and Div 3 men's comps before ¼ finals kick off next weekend!!! Club rugby is in full swing so make sure you get along to support your team. You can check out the Club Rugby draw & all results by clicking HERE.

This week we announced our full Coaching groups for both NPC & FPC teams. Read the full write ups on our coaches below.

Otago is being represented on the world stage at all levels! Congratulations to our lad Dylan Pledger who was named on the U20 team to take on Italy in their opening match for the World Rugby U20 Championship.

Congratulations to our Otago Academy ladies who have been selected into NZ Rugby's High Performance Pathways Group and will play in an inaugural South vs North U18 team. Molly Hansen, Leila Hill, Madison Flutey and Zaria Murray. Also selected but not available was Hannah Norris. Great for our girls and our Academy! We know you will all represent Otago well. See full details details below.

2025 Season Memberships are on sale now. With 5 NPC Home games (including 2 Double Headers with Otago Spirit) get in behind Otago and secure your membership HERE

The 2025 NPC & FPC Draws are out! Scroll down to check out our Home 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!

All Blacks selectors Scott Robertson, Scott Hansen and Jason Ryan have named six new caps in their 33-strong squad for the 2025 Lipovitan-D July Series against France.

The squad is as follows: (age, Super Rugby club, province, Test caps)
* denotes new caps

Hookers:
Codie Taylor (34, Crusaders / Canterbury, 96)
Samisoni Taukei’aho (27, Chiefs / Waikato, 30)
Brodie McAlister (28, Chiefs / Canterbury, *)

Props:
Ethan de Groot (26, Highlanders / Southland, 29)
Tamaiti Williams (24, Crusaders / Canterbury, 18)
Ollie Norris (25, Chiefs / Waikato, *)
Tyrel Lomax (29, Hurricanes / Tasman, 44)
Fletcher Newell (25, Crusaders / Canterbury, 22)
Pasilio Tosi (26, Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty, 7)

Locks:
Scott Barrett (31, Crusaders / Taranaki, 80) (Captain)
Patrick Tuipulotu (32, Blues / Auckland, 51)
Tupou Vaa’i (25, Chiefs / Taranaki, 38)
Fabian Holland (22, Highlanders / Otago, *)

Loose forwards:
Samipeni Finau (26, Chiefs / Waikato, 8)
Ardie Savea (31, Moana Pasifika / Wellington, 94) (Vice-Captain)
Du’Plessis Kirifi (28, Hurricanes / Wellington, *)
Christian Lio-Willie (26, Crusaders / Otago, *)
Luke Jacobson (28, Chiefs / Waikato, 24)

Halfbacks:
Cameron Roigard (24, Hurricanes / Counties Manukau, 10)
Cortez Ratima (24, Chiefs / Waikato, 11)
Noah Hotham (22, Crusaders / Tasman, 1)

First-five eighths:
Beauden Barrett (34, Blues / Taranaki, 134)
Damian McKenzie (30, Chiefs / Waikato, 61)

Midfielders:
Anton Lienert-Brown (30, Chiefs / Waikato, 84)
Jordie Barrett (28, Hurricanes / Taranaki, 68) (Vice-Captain)
Rieko Ioane (28, Blues / Auckland, 81)
Quinn Tupaea (26, Chiefs / Waikato, 14)
Billy Proctor (26, Hurricanes / Wellington, 2)
Timoci Tavatavanawai (27, Highlanders / Tasman, *)

Outside backs:
Caleb Clarke (26, Blues / Auckland, 29)
Sevu Reece (28, Crusaders / Southland, 32)
Will Jordan (27, Crusaders / Tasman, 41)
Ruben Love (24, Hurricanes / Wellington, 1)

Injury Cover - The following players have been named as injury cover for the start of the Lipovitan-D July Series:
Dalton Papali'i for Luke Jacobson
Emoni Narawa (25, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, 2) for Anton Lienert-Brown

Unavailable due to injury:
Asafo Aumua; Ofa Tu’ungafasi; Sam Darry; Peter Lakai; Stephen Perofeta; Wallace Sititi.

Game One: Saturday 5 July, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Game Two: Saturday 12 July, Sky Stadium, Wellington

Game Three: Saturday 19 July, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

Otago Head Coach Mark Brown has confirmed his coaching team for the Bunnings Warehouse 2025 NPC season. Assistant coaches, Ryan Bambry and Will Henry, will return to build upon the foundation established with the 2024 team, which finished with a record of 5 wins and 5 losses, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the finals series.

Brown said, "Having Ryan and Will on board again will ensure that the foundations and continuity from last year’s campaign are maintained. Feedback from the playing group was extremely positive regarding the impact they both had, and I have personally observed their expertise and readiness for the season ahead."
Rejoining Otago Rugby is Lee Allan, who returns to the coaching group in the Defence role, having been involved previously in the 2019/20 NPC seasons. Having also played 34 games for Otago Allan has remained a strong connection to rugby and, in recent seasons, has been supporting the Big River Country women’s team and coaching staff. Allan expressed his enthusiasm for returning to coaching in a team and region he loves: "I was thrilled when Mark discussed his plans for the 2025 season, and I am itching to get started. I visited a few times last season and was very impressed with the mindset and application the team showed in their defence. I am excited to build on that this season."

The final addition to the coaching team is Mitchell Scott, who will assist the team in a voluntary part time skills enhancement role. Scott played 33 times for Otago following his debut in 2016 and has recently transitioned into coaching, working at Premier level with the Taieri Eels alongside Jason Macdonald and Kurt Hammer, and also is currently coaching the Otago Boys High School 1st XV side.

The 2025 Otago NPC squad assembles full-time on Monday the 7th of July and the Bunnings Warehouse NPC kicks off Friday 1 August 2025, with Otago taking on Southland in Round 1 in Invercargill KO 4:35pm.

The Otago Rugby Football Union is excited to confirm the coaching group for the 2025 Otago Spirit, who will lead the team into another big Farah Palmer Cup campaign this season.

Returning as Head Coach is Matt Direen, who steps into the top role after two years as the Spirit’s Assistant Coach and Defensive Lead in 2023 and 2024. With a strong foundation in strategy and defensive systems, Direen will continue to drive the overall team strategy and defensive structures this season. A long-serving member of Kaikorai RFC, he has coached their Premier side in recent years and brings deep knowledge of Otago’s player development pathways.

Joining him as Assistant Coach – Attack is Marty Hurring, a well-known and respected coach across the Otago region. Currently working part time in the Otago Coach Development space, Hurring has coached a variety of representative sides and schools’ teams, including leading South Otago High School to their historic first win over Otago Boys’ High School. He will focus on the team’s attacking systems and skill development.

“I'm thoroughly looking forward to the challenge of coaching the Otago Spirit alongside Matt,” Hurring said. “This team has such a great positive vibe—on and off the field—which makes them easy to coach. Our shared goal is clear: promotion to the Premiership Division.”

Also returning is Ryan Griffith in his third season as Set Piece Coach. A specialist in scrum technique and set piece play, Griffith will once again oversee the scrum skill development and contribute to the team’s forward platform. He is currently the Scrum Coach for King’s High School 1st XV and works with Otago age group representative teams across the region.

“I’m excited for another season working with this talented group,” Griffith said. “There’s huge potential in this squad, and it’s incredibly rewarding to help the girls grow, push boundaries, and meet that potential.”

The Otago Spirit are building steadily toward their goal of promotion, and this experienced coaching trio brings a strong balance of technical expertise, regional knowledge, and passion for the women’s game.

With thanks to supporting partner Prezzy Card our winner for MAY is TYLA O'NEILL, Alexandra Rugby Club

“Tyla gives countless hours behind the scenes—coordinating activities, planning events, and keeping our community engaged with numerous social media posts that truly capture the spirit of the club.This month, her efforts shone brightly as she organised an incredible Club Day with 22 games all up, creating a memorable experience for members and supporters, not to mention she is 24 Years old and very passionate for the sport of Rugby!!”Congratulations Tyla you have scored yourself a $100 Prezzy Card!All other nominees, Gavin Bartlett, Andrew Aitken and Tony Kearney have scored themselves a $50 Prezzy Card

Thank you to all our volunteers for the work that you do for our rugby community week-in, week out. We couldn't do it without you!

Nominate a deserving Volunteer at your Club now, for the June round of Volunteer of the month! https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/350526

New Zealand Rugby has announced 50 U18 girls’ players from across New Zealand to attend a high-performance pathway programme at St Peter’s School Cambridge from 7-12 July.

The group has been split into two squads that will contest an inaugural Under 18 girls’ North v South match to be played on Friday 11 July at the culmination of the six-day programme, which was announced by New Zealand Rugby in May this year.

Read more about the Under 18 girls’ programme here Under 18 girls' North v South match and high performance camp announced

The North squad was selected from girls playing their rugby at a school or club within or north of the Provincial Union boundaries of East Coast, Bay of Plenty, King Country and Taranaki. The South squad was selected from girls playing at a school or club within or south of the Provincial Union (PU) boundaries of Whanganui, Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay.

Team South

Hookers

Sophie Pemberton (Waimea College & Waimea Rugby Club)

Laila Severinsen (Palmerston North Old Boys Marist)

Ava-lea Maxwell (New Brighton Rugby Club)

Props

Faith Schwenke (Sacred Heart College Wellington & Petone Rugby Football Club)

Perez Lene (Christchurch Rugby Club)

Molly Hansen (Columba College & Otago University Rugby Football Club)

Eva-Rose Dean (Manukura & Kia Toa Rugby Club)

Locks

Leila Hill (Big River Country)

Olivia Gill (Central Southland College & Star Rugby Club)

Kingston Taiapa (Manukura & Freyberg Old Boys Rugby Club)

Loose Forwards

Hannah Cadzow (Palmerston North Girls’ High School)

Te Waikaukau Mathieson-Julian (Freyberg Old Boys Rugby Club)

Allura Holt (Napier Girls’ High School)

Te Maia Sweetman (Manukura)

Halfback

Briar Hales (Napier Girls’ High School)

Baylee Meroiti (Tawa College & Northern United Women’s)

First fives

Madison Flutey (Columba College & Otago University Rugby Football Club)

Poppy Baxter (High School Old Boys Women’s & Christchurch Girls’ High School)

Midfield

Metua Cranwell (Christchurch Rugby Club)

Zaria Murray (Alhambra-Union RFC)

Sienna Wright (Craighead Diocesan School)

Wings

Maleta Pailate (Hastings Girls’ High School & MAC)

Amaleila Tiatia (Linwood Rugby Club)

Emerald Tuhiwai-Polson (St Mary's College, Petone Rugby Club)

Fullback

Kaylani Anaha (Manukura & Freyberg Old Boys Rugby Club)

Unavailable due to injury: Dormay Laufiso (University of Canterbury)

Team Management:

Coaches: Jason Kjestrup & Angie Sisifa

Manager: Hannah Shalders

Strength & Conditioning Coach: Sophie Glass

Physio: Kimberley Pilbrow

In 2015 Otago Polytechnic, with the Otago Rugby Football Union, established the ORFU Scholarship to assist students with both sporting and academic aspirations

Two Scholarships are on offer for players wishing to study at the Otago Polytechnic in 2026. One male and one female will be chosen.

Applications for the 2026 Otago Rugby/Otago Polytechnic scholarship applications are now open!

The following conditions apply:

Two 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 2026*.
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.

APPLY HERE

* Please note...receiving a scholarship does not ensure inclusion into the Otago Women’s and Men’s Academy programmes for 2026.