The North Otago Heartland side has been named for round seven of the 2024 Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship. North Otago will take on King Country in Te Kuiti, with kickoff at 2:30pm. A livestream for this match is being provided via the King Country YouTube.
Changes in the forward pack will see Max Sawers get his first start of the season at prop, with Jake Greenslade shifting to the reserves. Anthony Docherty returns to the starting side and will be partnered this week by Kasimila Vaihu, with Fegus Read shifting to the six jersey. Mat Duff comes back in at flanker to captain, while Savenaca Rabaka shifts to number 8.
Matia Batavotavo remains at centre this week and will be partnered by Chihiro Matsuyama who comes in for Mataitini Feke. Hayden Todd switches to the right wing, with Jamie Mullan returning to the side and starting on the left wing.
In the reserves, Apenisa Tuiba and Conor Lawson both return to provide cover in the forward pack while Sam Walsh also makes a return. Isaac Clunie remains in the side and will look to make his first class debut for North Otago this week if he takes to the field.
Starting XV:
Max Sawers
Ryusei Kato
Bradley Harewood
Anthony Docherty
Kasimila Vaihu
Fergus Read
Mathew Duff (cc)
Savenaca Rabaka
Jake Matthews
Greg Dyer
Jamie Mullan
Chihiro Matsuyama
Matia Batavotavo
Hayden Todd
Ben McCarthy
Reserves:
16. Cameron Rowland
17. Mateo Qolisese
18. Jake Greenslade
19. Apenisa Tuiba
20. Conor Lawson
21. Mavaetangi Finau
22. Sam Walsh
23. Isaac Clunie*
*Potential North Otago First Class debut
Management: Head Coach: Jason Forrest
Director of Coaching: Barry Matthews
Assistant Coach: Scott Barnes
Manager: Marty McAtamney
Logistics/Communications: Colleen Carroll
Trainer: Scott Mayhew
Physio: Mike Wheeler