The North Otago Rugby Football Union would like to congratulate the following players on their selection in the North Otago Heartland Squad for the 2024 Bunnings Heartland Championship.
The squad features a balance of returning players, mixed with a number of members new to the heartland squad for 2024. 14 players will look to make their North Otago debuts this season. The squad has been bulked up with loan players Greg Dyer and Sam Walsh, along with Fergus Read who is a returning New Zealand player.
"We're loooking forward to getting the guys together and stuck into training. We've got a few new guys in the team this season, which is exciting for the coaching group. Can't wait to get underway and see what this sides capable of." - Jason Forrest, Head Coach
Training will start on Thursday July 18th and will be held at Weston Sports ground. If unavailable please contact Jason Forrest (027 212 1277) or Marty Mcatamney (027 253 1963).
The Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship kicks off on Saturday 17th August, with North Otago taking on Horowhenua-Kapiti in Oamaru.
2024 North Otago Heartland Squad:Forwards:
Samuela Babiau (Excelsior)
Henri Burditt* (Excelsior)
Mathew Duff (Excelsior)
Junior Fakatoufifita (Old Boys)
Jake Greenslade (Valley)
Bradley Harewood* (Excelsior)
Cullen Johnstone (Excelsior)
Ryusei Kato* (Valley)
Epineri Logavatu (Athletic-Marist)
Jacob Pledger* (Valley)
Mateo Qolisese* (Excelsior)
Savenaca Rabaka* (Athletic-Marist)
Fergus Read* (Returning NZ Player)
Cameron Rowland (Valley)
Sione Tukala (Old Boys)
Lisivani Tuifua (Athletic-Marist)
Apenisa Tuiba* (Excelsior)
Kasimila Vaihu (Kurow)
Roney Vanila* (Kurow)
Backs:
Tyron Davies (Excelsior)
Greg Dyer* (Loan Player)
Seva Druma* (Excelsior)
Tini Feke (Old Boys)
Mavaetangi Finau* (Old Boys)
Chihiro Matsuyama* (Valley)
Jake Matthews (Valley)
Oli Knopp (Excelsior)
Jamie Mullan* (Excelsior)
Ben Mccarthy (Player Of Origin)
Matia Qiolevu (Excelsior)
Hayden Todd (Kurow)
Sam Walsh* (Loan Player)
Matt Vocea (Valley)
* 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