North Otago named for Semi Final
The North Otago Heartland team has been named for their home semi final in the Meads Cup, against Wairarapa Bush at Whitestone Contracting Stadium this weekend.
Both sides met earlier this year, in a Round 2 fixture held at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. North Otago won that encounter by 25-11, but this weekends match is set to be a tougher match up.
North Otago Head Coach, Jason Forrest, is excited by the opportunity to play a playoff match in front of a local crowd. "Absolutely amazing to be at home for semi-final in front of family, friends and our loyal supporters. The boys deserve to be where they are after some serious hard work this year. We want as many people as possible to come out to support us, we haven’t been in this position for 6 years so the boys are hugely excited about the opportunity."
The bulk of the side has remained largely unchanged for much of the 2019 season, and again minimal changes have been made for the semi final. "All year we have had to make some seriously hard calls around selection and this week is certainly no different, the hardest thing for the guys that miss out is that it is a semi-final."
Unfortunately for North Otago, Captain Sam Sturgess injured his foot last week against East Coast so will miss the remainder of the season. Hayden Tisdall will start in his place a hooker. "With Sam out Tissy comes in to start which is no surprise as he has been with us all year and really took his chance last week when he come on for Sam." With Sturgess out, Ralph Darling will captain the side.
Josh Clark makes his return from injury this week, having missed last weeks match in Ruatoria. Clark will start at Number 8, with Jake Greenslade moving to the reserves bench to provide cover at hooker.
In the backs there are no changes to the starting lineup, however Matt Vocea has been added to the reserves. "Matt Vocea comes in as we need a wing cover. Wairarapa have very good outside backs so we have to be defensively good this week and Matt brings some physicality and experience to what we need this week."
1. Ralph Darling (C)
2. Hayden Tisdall
3. Melikisua Kolinisau
4. Charles Elton
5. William Kirkwood
6. Jacob Coghlan
7. Marcus Balchin
8. Josh Clark
9. Robbie Smith
10. Michael Williams
11. Howard Packman
12. Taina Tamou
13. Lemi Masoe
14. Adam Johnson
15. Patrick Pati
16. Jake Greenslade
17. Kelepi Funaki
18. Mathew Duff
19. Manulua Taiti
20. Anthony Arty
21. Matthew Vocea
22. Lachlan Kingan