The North Otago Heartland side has been named for round eight of the 2024 Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship. North Otago will take on Buller in Weston for their final match of the season, with kickoff at 2:30pm.
A reshuffled forward pack will see Jake Greenslade starting in place of Max Sawers, with Mateo Qolisese making his starting debut after returning from injury in recent weeks. Apenisa Tuiba jumps into the run on side this week, while regular prop Lisivani Tuifua gets a run in the back row with his co-captains Mat Duff and Cameron Rowland both named to start.
After being called up for the last couple of rounds, Isaac Clunie is finally in line to make his first class debut for North Otago. Clunie will take the reigns in the first five jersey, making him the 18th debutant for North Otago this season. Dyer will switch to fullback, with Ben McCarthy shifting to the wing. Mataitini Feke also makes a return to the side this week.
Kasimila Vaihu and Bradley Harewood take a seat this week after starting in round 7. Jamie Mullan and Chihiro Matsuyama will also feature from the reserves, alongside Oli Knopp who makes his way back into the side.
Starting XV:
Jake Greenslade
Ryusei Kato
Mateo Qolisese
Apenisa Tuiba
Fergus Read
Cameron Rowland (cc)
Mat Duff (cc)
Lisivani Tuifua
Jake Matthews
Isaac Clunie*
Hayden Todd
Mataitini Feke
Matia Batavotavo
Ben McCarthy
Greg Dyer
Reserves: 16. Kasimila Vaihu 17. Max Sawers 18. Bradley Harewood 19. Conor Lawson 20. Jacob Pledger 21. Jamie Mullan 22. Chihiro Matsuyama 23. Oli Knopp
*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