The North Otago Heartland side has been named for round three of the 2024 Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship. North Otago will take on Wairarapa-Bush at Trust House Memorial Park in Masterton, with kickoff at the earlier time of 1:00pm. A livestream for this match will be provided via the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Facebook page.
Excelsior lock Apenisa Tuiba looks set to make his North Otago debut this week, named to start at lock in place of Anthony Docherty. Sevenaca Rabaka and Mat Duff also get the nod in the run on squad this week, with Cameron Rowland returning to the bench.
Changes to the backline will see Greg Dyer shift back to first five, with Tyron Davies moving to the bench. Hayden Todd will shift to the left wing, with Oli Knopp coming into the squad to start on the right wing. Chihiro Matsuyama comes back into the squad to make his first start of the season at centre, while Ben McCarthy also returns to start at fullback.
Another potential debutant has been brought into the squad and will look to add impact off the bench. Lawrence Leung-Wai comes via the Zingari-Richmond club in Dunedin, having also played in the Highlanders Under 20 squad in 2023.
Starting XV:
Jake Greenslade
Ryusei Kato
Bradley Harewood
Apenisa Tuiba*
Fergus Read
Savenaca Rabaka
Mat Duff (cc)
Kasimila Vaihu
Jake Matthews
Greg Dyer
Hayden Todd
Mataitini Feke
Chihiro Matsuyama
Oli Knopp
Ben McCarthy
Reserves: 16. Cameron Rowland (cc) 17. Lisivani Tuifua 18. Max Sawers 19. Samuela Babiau 20. Lawrence Leung-Wai* 21. Tyron Davies 22. Mavaetangi Finau 23. Seva Druma
*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