2 days ago
Players from Japan, Dunedin in Herden's Old Golds mix
Kenta Iemura, pictured in action during the Town v Country game at Maheno on Saturday, is a newcomer in the North Otago squad. Photo: Masi Photography
Some old, some new, some borrowed, some Blue Revs.
New North Otago coach Luke Herden has spread the net widely to name his first Heartland Championship squad.
Herden has named a bumper 35-strong squad containing four Japanese players, a handful of potential loan players from Dunedin and some intriguing newcomers from the local ranks.
Significantly, he and assistant coaches Kilifi Fangupo and Ralph Darling will welcome back seasoned forwards Hayden Tisdall, Kelepi Funaki and Junior Fakatoufifita, all of whom are proven Heartland performers and were sorely missed last year, when the Old Golds broke a record 25-year streak and missed the playoffs.
"They're X-factor players," Herden said.
"They also do a lot of the gruntwork and give us a lot of go-forward, and they've also got a lot of experience.
"Tizzy's just a workhorse, Kelepi could play at a higher level, and Junior as well. When we get them going, they'll be very good."
The newcomer with the highest pedigree is Danny Tusitala.
The 33-year-old halfback has played five tests for Samoa and has extensive NPC and Major League Rugby experience.
Another feature of the squad is the selection of front-rower Gaku Shimizu and versatile back Kippei Taninaka, who played for Valley this year, and inside backs Kodai Okazaki and Kenta Iemura, who spent time in Dunedin with the Harbour club.
The Valley link is from coach Barry Matthews' relationship with former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, now guiding Toyota Verblitz, while the Harbour players hail from Shizuoka Blue Revs (Yamaha), where former Old Golds trainer Adam Keen now works.
Iemura and Okazaki, in particular, will be keenly monitored, as last year's regular 9-10 combination, Jake Matthews (shoulder surgery) and Greg Dyer (Southland), are absent.
"They've got a great skillset, and a very quick catch-pass, things that will benefit our squad and how we want to play," Herden said.
North Otago have suffered in recent years from not being able to find some stability with their loan players.
They largely looked outside Dunedin in 2024 but Herden, a Dunedin teacher who is immersed in the local rugby scene, is confident two Zingari-Richmond players, flanker Flavius Roberts-Vili and centre Ben Fakava, and University prop Steve Salelea will provide good value.
"I think it's important, when we get loan players, that they understand their role and are committed to North Otago.
"In the past, we might get a player in for a couple of weeks and then Otago might want them back and we have to start again.
"We're looking for players on the pathway to playing for Otago, and our goal is to develop them and have them hit the ground running."
All-rounder Ben McCarthy returns to the squad, but the St Kevin's old boy is no longer listed as a player of origin.
That system has been dismantled and Heartland squads will now be allowed a maximum of four loan players — previously three plus an origin player — in their match-day squad.
Interesting newcomers from Citizens Shield rugby include Kurow forward Mitch Morton, Valley flanker Robbie Lailvaux and Athletic Marist lock Asaeli Ngahe, while Maheno first five Lachie Kingan returns to the Old Golds after a long absence.
Experienced loose forward Cameron Rowland, a co-captain with Mat Duff last year, is being looked at as an option at hooker.
New father Duff has made himself unavailable, while the other major loss from last year is classy centre Hayden Todd.
The Old Golds have one preseason game, against Otago Country in Wānaka, before their Heartland opener in Whanganui on August 16.
North Otago
Heartland squad
Forwards: Cam Rowland, Hayden Tisdall, Gaku Shimizu, Jake Greenslade, Kelepi Funaki, Mateo Qolisese, Paea Pala, Steve Salelea, Temesia Bolavucu, Anthony Docherty, Asaeli Ngahe, Epineri Logavatu, Apenisa Tuiba, Faran Poasa, Mitch Morton, Flavius Roberts-Vili, Junior Fakatoufifita, Robbie Lailvaux, Sailosi Vea, Savenaca Rabaka.
Backs: Danny Tusitala, Kippei Taninaka, Kodai Okazaki, Seru Cavuilati, Isaac Clunie, Kenta Iemura, Lachie Kingan, Ben Fakava, Matia Qiolevu, Posiano Kamoto, Tini Feke, Ben McCarthy, Ben Paton, Hopoate Finau, Seva Druma.
