Otago's Highlanders go on trial
Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:50
Otago coaches Steve Martin and Bruce Carvell have named 48 players, including all their Highlanders stars, to play in an internal trial game in Balclutha on Tuesday, June 24.
Martin said it is an ideal opportunity for youngsters to measure themselves against battle-hardened Super 14 players.
"The trial is a unique opportunity to pit experienced Highlanders against those aspiring for selection in this years Air New Zealand Cup campaign," Martin said.
"It is a departure from previous trials as we are involving the Highlanders players this year more than we have before."
Players in the teams have been selected on the basis that they are genuine contenders for the Air NZ Cup training squad which will be announced after the trial.
Martin said: "We are delighted to be able to take the trial to Balclutha which is one of the strongholds of rugby in Otago, and equally delighted to have David Latta and Marty Hurring [the current Otago Country coaches] coaching one of the teams.
"We are confident that we will get great support from the community and see it as a positive start to the 2008 season."
The players who are unavailable are Adam Thomson (All Blacks), Keith Cameron (NZ Maori) and Craig Newby (injury).
Trial teams:
Otago Blue: Craig Clare (Kaikorai), Lucky Mulipola (Southern), Brett Mather (University), Charlie Tiko (Cromwell), Daniel Bowden (Dunedin), Toby Morland (Kaikorai), Steven Setephano (Zingari Richmond, captain), Alando Soakai (Kaikorai), Keiran Williams (University), Seko Qaranaqio (Kaikorai), Tom Donnelly (University), Jed Vercoe (Southern), Mason Pomare (Zingarei Richmond), James Cooper (Zingari Richmond), Ben Nolan (Harbour), Ben Perriera (Alhambra Union), Jonathan Direen (Zingari Richmond), Fili Kolomatangi (Alhambra Union), Adam Hill (Kaikorai), Matt George (Alhambra Union), Glenn Dickson (Pirates), Matt Direen (Kaikorai), Jeremy Cave (Green Island).
Coaches: David Latta and Marty Hurring
Otago Gold: Casey Stone (Alhambra Union), Karne Hesketh (Alhambra Union), Ben Smith (Green Island), Dan Snee (University), Randell Kamea (University), Chris Noakes (University), Sean Romans (University), Paul Grant (University), Eben Joubert (Harbour), Hoani Matenga (University), Uili Koloofai (Southern), Ross Kennedy (Pirates), Sam Hibbard (University), Peter Mirrielees (Harbour, captain), Jeremy Aldworth (University), Dane Maraki (Alhambra Union), Sam Anderson-Heather (Dunedin), Cam Ward (Kaikorai), Dan Joblin (Kaikorai), Carl Anderson (Southern), Louis Hancock (Southern) Luke Herden (Southern), Andrew Parata (University), Alipate Fatafehi.
Coaches: Paul Hessian and Chris Smith
