A Heartland union has not won the shield in the 20 years since New Zealand Rugby forced the split that created a chasm between the 14 major unions and the rest. The Old Golds are, therefore, at massively long odds to get their hands on the Log o’ Wood for the first time in the 99-year history of their union when they challenge at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight. But for Otago coach Mark Brown, entering his second year in the job after a wildly successful
debut season finished with the coveted trophy and a place in the NPC final, tonight is not about extending the patronising hand of friendship to their neighbours. ‘‘If you go into any fixture, let alone one with the Ranfurly Shield on the line, without having respect for the other team, you’re asking for trouble,’’ Brown said. ‘‘We’re not talking about them as a Heartland team, or as our little brother. ‘‘They’re coming down trying to take the shield off us, and we’ve got to repel
them. ‘‘I think we need to go in with an attacking mindset. Get in and attack that shield, and it doesn’t matter who’s on the other side.’’ The early-season date means Brown has had just three training sessions and one full contact hit-out with his team. And talk about a new-look Otago squad. Remarkably, not a single player from the team that started the final against Canterbury last season is in a blue jersey tonight. ‘‘That’s sort of part and parcel of the shield, really.
It connects all levels of footy. ‘‘A lot of our contracted boys who had a reasonably heavy load through Super Rugby are having a spell, so that creates a window for the next wave coming through. ‘‘I’m particularly excited for this group. Quite a few helped us out last year, and we’ve got really strong club rugby performers.’’ They are still young men, but midfielders Jake Te Hiwi and Josh Whaanga will assume senior roles tonight. Both have, for various reasons, not played nearly as
much for the Highlanders and Otago as they would have liked, but they will be asked to continue where Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Josh Timu left off. ‘‘We want them just to be the best versions of themselves,’’ Brown said. ‘‘Jake is going to captain the side, which is an extra responsibility for him. He’s a really strong ball-carrier, and that’s something Thomas provided for us in the midfield last year. ‘‘Josh is a very creative player who can be very physical as well, and combining
those attributes will make players inside and outside him better.’’ Lock will be another area of interest. Will Tucker and Joseva Tamani formed an excellent combination in the second row for Otago last year, and tonight offers a chance for rookie Harry Irving — who made his Wellington debut last year and has just arrived in Dunedin — and New Zealand Universities giant Mitchell Tinnock to state their case. ‘‘It’s a great opportunity for both those guys. ‘‘Harry reached high levels in age-group footy and
is a really capable player who is coming down to our environment and already impressed. ‘‘Mitch is a big lad, which is an asset in itself. This is just reward for Mitch. He’s worked really hard and got his body into good nick so he can really use his size.’’ Inside backs Kieran McClea and Rique Miln will be others keen to press NPC selection claims, while Harbour flankers Taylor Dale and Toni Taufa will enjoy a run against a province they have both represented.
hayden.meikle@odt.co.nz Ranfurly Shield Dunedin, 6.30pm Otago: Charlie Breen, Riley Lucas, Josh Whaanga, Jake Te Hiwi (captain), Mefi Tupou, Rique Miln, Kieran McClea, Orlando Tuhega-Vaitupu, Toni Taufa, Taylor Dale, Harry Irving, Mitchell Tinnock, Cam Allan-McNeill, Liam Coltman, Benjamin Lopas. Reserves: A-One Lolofie, Philip Taua-Ah Soon, Isileli Otunuku, Eric Peita, Slade McDowall, Oliver Thode, Mackenzie Palmer, Jake Fowler. North Otago: Ben Paton, Sevanaia Druma, Joe Parkinson, Mataitini Feke, Ben McCarthy, Semisi Ma’asi, Billy Wilson, Mitch Morton, Savenaca Rabaka (co-captain), Mat Duff, Corban Agar, Anthony Docherty, Cameron Keech,
Hayden Tisdall (co-captain), Kelepi Funaki. Reserves: Sam Sturgess, Lisivani Tuifua, Yann Bayle, Ratu Logavatu, Oli Knopp, Alfie Coop, Isaac Clunie, Hateni Tafolo.
Otago, Ranfurly Shield, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Mark Brown, Jake Te Hiwi, Josh Whaanga, Harry Irving, Mitchell Tinnock, North Otago, NPC