4 days ago
‘I feel Otago is where I'm supposed to be'
Otago halfback Abigail Paton is loving being back with the Otago Spirit this season. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
Abigail Paton is right where she is meant to be.
The energetic halfback has returned to the Otago Spirit this season after a stint in the red and black.
Paton debuted to the Spirit in 2023 while still at East Otago High School before heading north to Canterbury to study sport coaching at the University of Canterbury.
Deciding where to commit this season took some soul-searching, but after speaking to people she respected, Paton found her place.
"When I was praying about it, I was just like, I feel Otago is where I'm supposed to be," Paton said.
"And I never want to live in a space where you feel like 'what if?'
"My little brother, who's only in his last year of high school, said to me... 'whatever decision you make, you've just got to go 100% and don't look back' and I think I've gone in 100% and I haven't thought about what if.
"It's been great. I'm really enjoying the people, the footy, the coaches and living in Dunedin and the community that I've got here as well."
Paton is no stranger to the big moments, having played for Canterbury in the Farah Palmer Cup Premiership last season and being part of Matatu in Super Rugby Aupiki this year.
Having played in both the Premiership and the Championship gave her a unique perspective and the gap might not be as big as some thought, she said.
"To be fair, I think for some of the matches there is [a difference].
"For some of the teams there's a greater difference in the level of play.
"But I think [there's] some teams in the Championship competition that definitely could give the teams in the Premiership a good run for their money."
Paton's return home has worked out pretty well after an impressive performance against North Harbour in the Spirit's 34-33 opening win last weekend.
Even after being down 14-0 in the opening 10 minutes, Paton was confident her side would bounce back and win.
"At no point did I feel under pressure because I was like, we've got this.
"I knew the way we played, we could come back from anything. I think when we had the ball on attack we were looking really sharp and we've got some great ball carriers, great runners, great skill sets.
"Like we've discussed this week, defence is the real kicker and what wins matches so we'll just go back to the drawing board, as the coaches and captains say, and address those little things."
Defence will be a big factor tomorrow when they meet Wellington Pride in Porirua.
They dominated Tasman 39-7 last week and are always a big test, after dropping back to the Championship last year.
"Wellington have a few really key ball runners out wide who are quick and elusive, so shutting them down early and not even giving them a sniff will be really important.
"I'm quietly excited because I know they'll be a challenge for us, but I think if we bring our A game, we're definitely up for the challenge and it's still there for the taking."
Pip Eason gets her first start on the wing after debuting off the bench last week.
Captain Greer Muir shifts to the blindside and is joined by Rawinia Ngamoki-Moana and Sarah Jones in the loose forwards.
Isla Pringle gets the start at loosehead prop in her 50th game. Madison Flutey, Zaria Murray and Dallas McKnight will make their debuts off the bench.
Farah Palmer Cup
Tomorrow, 11.35am, Porirua
Otago: Olivia Fowler, Pip Eason, Naomi Sopoaga, Sheree Hume, Jamie Church, Georgia Cormick, Abigail Paton, Rawinia Ngamoki-Moana, Sarah Jones, Greer Muir, Ella Gomez, Leila Hill, Eilis Doyle, Tegan Hollows, Isla Pringle. Reserves: Hannah Lithgow, Rebekah Wairau, Lucy Cahill, Shakirah Stephen, Kayley Johnson, Dallas McKnight, Zaria Murray, Madison Flutey.
Wellington: Keira Su'a-Smith, Baylee Meroiti, Litia Bulicakau, Madison Gold, Harmony Kautai, Arene Landon-Lane, Milly Mackey, Jackie Patea-Fereti, Anyis Drossaerts-Lake, Lourdes Faifua, Xanthe Somerville, Sanita Levave, Dora Laupola, Valini Vaka, Faythe Finau. Reserves: Keiana Roffey, Lavinia Lea, Paige Misky, Canon Hakaraia, Jessica Jackson, Te Arani Te Puni, Naliah Tagatauli-Tolova'a, Ivana Samani.
