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Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Squad's potential excites coach
Georgia Cormick, pictured in action for the Spirit last year, brings experience after a season with the Western Force in Super Rugby Women. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES There is a quiet optimism about where the Otago Spirit could head this season. Head coach Matt Direen unveiled his 35-strong squad last week with an exciting blend of experienced heads and new blood to compete in the Farah Palmer Cup Championship this season. The Spirit made it to the Championship final last year, where they fell short against the Manawatu Cyclones. Direen knows what it takes to get there, having made the step up to head coach this season after several years as assistant, and is excited by the "unrealised potential" among his squad. "I think this squad has ability to go a long way and I don't think they potentially realise [yet] ... exciting to be sort of helping them reach that potential," Direen said. "Obviously some new girls coming in that bring quite a lot and established players that have proven they can do it. "Getting them all to realise just how good they can be as a squad is what we're trying to achieve at the moment." Several wise heads are back, including Tegan Hollows and Eilis Doyle, who played for Matatu, and Georgia Cormick and Sheree Hume, who played for the Western Force in Super Rugby Women. Exciting backs Charlotte Va'afusuaga, who was the Spirit's MVP in 2024, and Naomi Sopoaga also made their Matatu debuts. Former Tasman back-turned-loose forward Sarah Jones has shifted south, and halfback Abigail Paton — both were part of Matatu — returns home after a year with Canterbury. "The value of experience in today's game is massive," Direen said. "Having a few older heads having been in and in amongst that, and know what's required in terms of training and preparation. "You can tell those things from a coach, but seeing them modelled by players like Tegs, and Eilis, and those sort of girls, it's way more valuable than my words." Another experienced campaigner in Greer Muir will take over the captaincy this season. She replaces Julia Gorinski, who has retired but remains with the squad as assistant manager. Muir had developed as a calm head in pressure situations, set high expectations and delivered clear messages her players responded to, Direen said. "You notice a player when they talk [and] everyone else is quiet and Greer's that kind of person. "We've got a few leaders in that space, but Greer was certainly someone that stood out." Bella Rewiri-Wharerau has been ruled out for the season, but remains as an analyst, and Zoe Frood, Paige Church and Te Atawhai Campbell are also among the injury list. Campbell should hopefully be available at some stage, but the others were "not looking quite as promising", he said. The Spirit make the trip to Lincoln on Sunday to play a "game of three halves" against Tasman and Southland. They then head away to play Canterbury ahead of their Farah Palmer Cup opener. Both games were vital for "bridging between club footy and that next level" and preparing them for the season ahead. The Spirit open their season against North Harbour at Forsyth Barr Stadium on August 10.
Otago Daily Times
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Spirit mix of fresh faces, classy players returning
A stable spine and exciting crop of new talent will blend together for the Otago Spirit this season. Head coach Matt Direen has unveiled a squad aiming to go one better than last year, when the Spirit made the Farah Palmer Cup Championship final. Many believe the Spirit have earned their spot in the Premiership and 2025 shapes as another chance for them to have a crack at making the top tier. Dallas McKnight, Claudia Broomfield, Sarah Jones, Honour Birks, Pip Eason, Zoe Elliott, Zaria Murray, Shakirah Stephens and Madison Flutey are all in line to make their Otago debuts. Jones joins the squad from Tasman, where she was a back and has reinvented herself as a loose forward. She was part of Matatu this season and put in a huge shift for Alhambra-Union in the Dunedin club final last month. Elliott joins from Western Australia, where she has been part of the Western Force set-up for Super Rugby Women. Tegan Hollows and Eilis Doyle have been the backbone of the front row in recent seasons and had good minutes for Matatu. Halfback Georgia Cormick and first five Sheree Hume — who brought up her 75th game last season — have plenty of experience under their belt and return from the Western Force. Charlotte Va'afusuaga, the Spirit's 2024 MVP, is always dangerous and will have gained plenty from her time in Aupiki. Lively halfback Abigail Paton comes home to Otago this season. The East Otago product was part of the Canterbury side who narrowly lost the Farah Palmer Cup Premiership final to Waikato last year. She will add depth to Otago's halfback stocks as Maia Joseph is unlikely to suit up due to Black Ferns duties. The Spirit will be without regular starter Bella Rewiri-Wharerau, who suffered a season-ending injury during the club final. She will remain with the side as an analyst. Paige Church, Zoe Frood and Te Atawhai Campbell were also injured in the final but are expected to return during the season. Former captain Julia Gorinski retired at the end of last season but joins the team as assistant manager. The Spirit, who celebrate 25 years this season, open their FPC season against North Harbour on August 10. Otago Spirit FPC squad Forwards: Paige Church (Alhambra-Union), Eilis Doyle (Alhambra Union), Sarah Jones (Alhambra-Union), Zoe Frood (Alhambra-Union), Tegan Hollows (Big River Country), Isla Pringle (Big River Country), Leila Hill (Big River Country), Ella Gomez (Big River Country), Kayley Johnson (Big River Country), Zoe Elliott (Cottesloe, WA), Rebekah Wairau (Dunedin), Maddy Sullivan (Dunedin), Shakirah Stephens (Dunedin), Greer Muir (Dunedin), Rawinia Ngamoki-Moana (Dunedin), Lucy Cahill (University), Hannah Lithgow (University), Honour Birks (University). Backs: Jamie Church (Alhambra-Union), Pip Eason (Alhambra Union), Charlotte Va'afusuaga (Alhambra Union), Georgia Cormick (Alhambra-Union), Sasha Scott (Big River Country), Sheree Hume (Dunedin), Hannah Norris (Dunedin), Naomi Sopoaga (Dunedin), Oceana Campbell (Dunedin), Te Atawhai Campbell (Dunedin), Maia Joseph (Dunedin), Abigail Paton (Lincoln University), Dallas McKnight (University), Mia Cochrane (University), Claudia Broomfield (University), Olivia Fowler (University), Cheyenne Cunningham (Waitaki).
