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Rugby Union
Mitre 10 Cup
[2014 ITM Cup] Squads
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 660672" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>Not the greatest looking Otago squad to be honest. We are missing some keys players from last season, in particular captain Paul Grant, Shota Horie, Tom Donnelly, Gareth Evans, Fumiaki Tanaka, and Buxton Popoali'i. Our only really note-worthy pick-up is Trent Renata, though he is solid rather than spectacular.</p><p></p><p>Our props remain our biggest weakness, especially with Craig Miller (who was probably the pick of our props last season) out for the season. Halfback looks to be an issue too, and we certainly don't have the depth in the loose-forwards we once had. The exciting thing though is that we have a very young (and quite promising) squad, stacked with recent NZ U20 players. The likes of Renton, Collins, Walden, Fuatai etc are all very talented backs, but I'm not sure whether they are ready to excel at this level yet....</p><p></p><p>My pick for the strongest 23:</p><p></p><p>1. Seiuli</p><p>2. Coltman</p><p>3. Manson</p><p>4. Franklin</p><p>5. Latta</p><p>6. Ioane</p><p>7. Allen</p><p>8. O'Connell (c)</p><p>9. Renton</p><p>10. Parker</p><p>11. Fuatai</p><p>12. Collins </p><p>13. Moffat</p><p>14. Suckling</p><p>15. Renata</p><p></p><p>16. Anderson-Heather</p><p>17. Brighthouse</p><p>18. Sasagi</p><p>19. Hemopo</p><p>20. Blake</p><p>21. Ealey</p><p>22. Breen</p><p>23. Spence</p><p></p><p>The top forward pack basically picks itself, though I'm hoping Hugh Blake starts delivering on his potential (then we could go 6. Allen, 7. Blake, with Ioane used as an impact player off the bench). Outside of 9 and 10 the rest of the backline is anyone's guess at this stage. For me there is nothing between Collins, Moffat, Spence and Walden. Collins and Walden are the most talented in my opinion, but both Spence and Moffat have performed well for Otago in the past. </p><p></p><p> Likewise there isn't much between Fuatai, Suckling, Faddes, Moffat, and Spence in terms of wing options. Spence and Moffat are more makeshift options but has provide to be pretty handy in the past (as they are both fantastic defenders), Suckling brings a phenomenal work-rate (but perhaps not that much talent), while Faddes and Fuatai offer more on attack (with their pace and power respectively), but aren't perhaps as complete as the other options. Renata should start at fullback, but that would mean Ensor - our most potent attack option when on form - would miss out. I suppose Ensor or Renata could be used on the wing, but I don't think either excel in that position.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 660672, member: 24910"] Not the greatest looking Otago squad to be honest. We are missing some keys players from last season, in particular captain Paul Grant, Shota Horie, Tom Donnelly, Gareth Evans, Fumiaki Tanaka, and Buxton Popoali'i. Our only really note-worthy pick-up is Trent Renata, though he is solid rather than spectacular. Our props remain our biggest weakness, especially with Craig Miller (who was probably the pick of our props last season) out for the season. Halfback looks to be an issue too, and we certainly don't have the depth in the loose-forwards we once had. The exciting thing though is that we have a very young (and quite promising) squad, stacked with recent NZ U20 players. The likes of Renton, Collins, Walden, Fuatai etc are all very talented backs, but I'm not sure whether they are ready to excel at this level yet.... My pick for the strongest 23: 1. Seiuli 2. Coltman 3. Manson 4. Franklin 5. Latta 6. Ioane 7. Allen 8. O'Connell (c) 9. Renton 10. Parker 11. Fuatai 12. Collins 13. Moffat 14. Suckling 15. Renata 16. Anderson-Heather 17. Brighthouse 18. Sasagi 19. Hemopo 20. Blake 21. Ealey 22. Breen 23. Spence The top forward pack basically picks itself, though I'm hoping Hugh Blake starts delivering on his potential (then we could go 6. Allen, 7. Blake, with Ioane used as an impact player off the bench). Outside of 9 and 10 the rest of the backline is anyone's guess at this stage. For me there is nothing between Collins, Moffat, Spence and Walden. Collins and Walden are the most talented in my opinion, but both Spence and Moffat have performed well for Otago in the past. Likewise there isn't much between Fuatai, Suckling, Faddes, Moffat, and Spence in terms of wing options. Spence and Moffat are more makeshift options but has provide to be pretty handy in the past (as they are both fantastic defenders), Suckling brings a phenomenal work-rate (but perhaps not that much talent), while Faddes and Fuatai offer more on attack (with their pace and power respectively), but aren't perhaps as complete as the other options. Renata should start at fullback, but that would mean Ensor - our most potent attack option when on form - would miss out. I suppose Ensor or Renata could be used on the wing, but I don't think either excel in that position. [/QUOTE]
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[2014 ITM Cup] Squads
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