Otago Rugby Football Union is proud to announce the 2023 Otago Squad for the Bunnings Warehouse NPC.

Otago Head Coach Tom Donnelly said, “We are looking forward to getting stuck into the 2023 NPC season. I think our men are going to come into our environment fresh and ready to prove a point that we are capable of going all the way. We have a number of returning players who know how to connect on the field and with the addition of some keen and exciting newcomers from club level, I think this team will take decent shape. The hard work for us begins now in the pre-season period.”

The team remains relatively settled from 2022 with most of the squad returning mixed in with a group eager to don the Blue & Gold for the first time. Nine* players have been selected in the squad for the first time although ten are uncapped. Including halfback Nathan Hastie who after debuting for the Highlanders this season and being out with injury for the past two NPC seasons, will be excited to earn his first cap. Five of the potential debutants were named as development players last year and their continued growth in both club rugby and the Under 20 programme should see them graduate to provincial rugby. Hard working Southern RFC loose forward Harry Taylor breaks his way into this year’s team after persevering through the three years of the Otago Academy and outstanding club form for Southern, that saw him raise the winners shield in 2022. Joining him after his one game versus Wellington is club teammate Jack Leslie, he has been out for most of the club season but is due to be back on the grass in the coming weeks.

Long serving Otago players Josh Ioane and Vilimoni Koroi are not with the team this season. Josh has signed with Waikato to be closer to family and aligns with his Chiefs playing commitments and Koroi has been out with injury and is exploring new opportunities. In replacement of that experience, Waisake Naholo joins the team after playing a club season for the Harbour Hawks. He will look to work alongside, develop, and challenge the youthful outside back group assembled.

Green Island’s Benjamin Lopas, and Taieri’s, Caleb Leef and Josh Whaanga will assemble to cover players on national duty and players out with injury. James Lentjes, George Bower and Josh Timu have been struck by injury over the course of their Super Rugby Pacific season earlier this year. However, these strong leaders intend to make a big impact off the field within the team and will take on other roles within the side.

The squad goes full time on Monday 10^th July. Otago will play one preseason fixture against Southland on Friday 28^th July, 2:05pm at Hancock Park.

SQUAD HIGHLIGHTS:

• 18 attended secondary schools within Otago region.
• 19 have progressed through the Otago Academy Programme over the years.
• 2 players were named in the 2023 NZ Under 20s side.
• 21 have had Super Rugby involvement in 2023.
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The Bunnings Warehouse NPC is set to begin the weekend of Friday 4^th August. The Otago team play their first game away against the Tasman Mako at Trafalgar Park in Nelson on Friday 4th August at 5:35pm. To view the full 2023 NPC draw click here.

2023 OTAGO NPC SQUAD

*UNCAPPED

INTERNATIONAL DUTY

UNAVAILABLE DUE TO INJURY

REPLACEMENT PLAYERS

*UNCAPPED

2023 COACHING STAFF

Head Coach: Tom Donnelly

Assistant Coaches: Ryan Bambry, Jamie Mackintosh & Ben Smith

S & C Coaches:  Ian Blake & Ed Lea

Physio: Karen Meehan

Manager: Simon Wallace

Assistant Manager: Hayden Finch

Doctor: Andrew Haren

Nutritionist:  Hanna Zouggari

Player Development Manager: Amanda Slade

Performance Analyst: Spencer Byers

Article added: Tuesday 04 July 2023