Latest news with #JakeTeHiwi
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Lio-Willie rested, Otago strengthen bench
Jake Te Hiwi will return to the Otago bench against Hawke's Bay after recovering from injury. Otago have strengthened their bench ahead of a home game against Hawke's Bay on Sunday. But there is a notable absence as well. All Blacks loose forward Christian Lio-Willie is missing from the NPC team. He carried a heavy load during the 24-15 win over Southland in Invercargill on Saturday and has been given the week off. The powerhouse No 8 will rejoin the team on Monday. Southern's Konrad Toleafoa will start at No 8 and is making his debut. The promising loose forward had a shoulder complaint last season — otherwise, he may have made his debut by now. It is the only change to the forward pack. Lock Will Tucker pulled up lame in the opening minute of the game against the Stags and is still under an injury cloud despite being named in the starting XV. There is one change to the starting backline. Jae Broomfield earns promotion from the bench and will start on the right wing ahead of Charlie Powell, who had an underwhelming debut for Otago. Highlanders midfielder Jake Te Hiwi returns from injury (groin) and will start from the bench. He had a hit-out last weekend in the Tuppy Diack Shield and performed strongly. Te Hiwi set up two tries and dotted down for Otago Metro South in a 52-7 win over Southland Metro. Highlanders blindside flanker Oliver Haig has also returned from injury (ankle) a little early and he will provide lock and loose forward cover from the bench, while Charles Elton drops out of the game-day squad. New Zealand under-20 halfback Dylan Pledger replaces Bob Martin and will look to make an impact from the bench. Prop Rohan Wingham, who was a late scratching last week, has been named in the reserves. Otago team To play Hawke's Bay Sam Gilbert (captain), Jae Broomfield, Josh Timu, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jona Nareki, Cameron Millar, Nathan Hastie, Konrad Toleafoa, Harry Taylor, Will Stodart, Joseva Tamani, Will Tucker, Saula Ma'u, Henry Bell, Abraham Pole. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Ben Lopas, Rohan Wingham, Oliver Haig, Lucas Casey, Dylan Pledger, Jake Te Hiwi, Sam Nemec-Vial.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Bright start for Otago teams
The Otago teams have made a bright start to the inaugural Tuppy Diack Shield. Otago Metro South posted a comprehensive 52-7 win over Southland Metro in Invercargill on Saturday. Promising lock Josh Tengblad claimed some good lineout ball and nabbed a couple of steals. He also carried strongly. Otago midfielder Jake Te Hiwi returned from a groin injury and made a positive impact. He set up a couple of tries and scored one as well. Otago-contracted loose forward Max Ratcliffe bumped off several tacklers on his way to a five-pointer in the corner. Otago Metro North beat Southland Country 38-24 in the other fixture, which was also hosted in Invercargill. Kaikorai loose forward Slade McDowall scored two tries and had an industrious game. The openside was outstanding for his club this season and is pushing hard for an opportunity for Otago. Halfback Oliver Thode was another to impress. He played in Otago's warm-up against Southland last month and acquitted himself nicely. Otago Rugby Football Union game development manager Michael Smith, who helped come up with the concept of the Tuppy Diack Shield, said it was a great start to the tournament. "It just shows the strength of club rugby in Dunedin when we can form two teams who are very competitive."
