Latest news with #LucasCasey
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Otago beat Wellington in high-scoring thriller
Dylan Pledger of Otago on attack during the round three NPC match between Wellington and Otago at Porirua Park. Defence was optional at Porirua as Otago outlasted Wellington 46-41 at Jerry Collins Stadium. Wellington certainly started where they left off against Waikato a week ago, scoring two tries in the first few minutes to shoot out to a 14-0 lead. However, Otago hit back through promising halfback Dylan Pledger and Lucas Casey. The openside flanker scored a second on the half hour mark, before Wellington halfback Esi Komaisavai hit back for the home side. Cam Millar tacked on a penalty to give Otago a deserved 24-19 halftime lead, before Will Tucker scored after the break to stretch the lead. It probably should have been more, but the momentum swung back sharply, when an errant Otago pass was snatched by wing Tom Maiava to race half the length of the field and score. Lock Akira Ieremia crashed over shortly after to give Wellington their first lead of the game. That advantage lasted all of a minute, before more shoddy tackling allowed Jona Nareki to stroll over for Otago, but not long after, Matt Proctor again kept Wellington in the game when he scored out wide. By this stage, it was clear whichever team could just simply keep their heads for a while would win and Otago were first to figure it out. Thomas Umaga-Jensen's ultimately matchwinning try, once again through some frustratingly poor tackling, was followed up by 10 minutes of actually structured rugby by the visitors on both sides of the ball. Millar knocked over a penalty goal in the 73rd minute, which gave them a two-score lead, and the ability to simply line up and defend Wellington's increasingly desperate attempts. The game ended with a bit of drama, with Jackson Garden-Bachop quickly kicking a penalty to leave Wellington with one opportunity off the kickoff to score a try to win. Ultimately, that was too much to ask, as Otago's defence forced a forward pass to end the game. The late shot at goal at least earned a bonus point for the defending champions, who head up the road next weekend to face Manawatu. Otago will fancy their chances, when they head to Pukekohe to play winless Counties-Manukau.
Otago Daily Times
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Casey, Rewiri- Wharerau get gongs
Lucas Casey. PHOTO: ODT FILES Kaikorai loose forward Lucas Casey and Alhambra-Union loosie Bella Rewiri-Wharerau have scooped the major prizes at the Dunedin community club awards at Kaikorai Rugby Football Club last night. Casey is a natural openside, but he moved to No 8 this season and worked in tandem with Slade McDowall. The pair were quick to get to the fringes and force turnovers. And Casey's ability to pop up out wide and run through holes made him a huge asset. He stood out most weeks for his attacking potency, and Kaikorai played a brand of rugby which suited his game. They gave the ball width and Casey had the speed to exploit any opportunities. Casey also picked up the award for the most tries — he nabbed 13 of them. Bella Rewiri-Wharerau Rewiri-Wharerau was outstanding for Alhambra-Union all season and captained them to the women's division 1 club title. She was brutal off the side of the scrum. She is a big ball carrier and a staunch defender who scored a stunning individual try in the final. Rewiri-Wharerau was massive in the club final until a nasty lower leg injury cut her game and season short, ruling her out of the upcoming season for the Otago Spirit for whom she has cemented a starting spot the past two seasons. Hard-working University midfielder Claudia Broomfield was named women's breakthrough player of the year, while Harbour first five Rique Miln won the Ben Smith Medal (emerging player). He had an outstanding rookie season for the Hawks. Kaikorai pivot Ben Miller was the top points scorer in division 1. He collected 150 points for the season and was influential in Kaikorai's championship run. University Rugby Football Club club captain Andy Ellis received the club champion of the year award, and referee Fraser Hannon was named referee of the year. Abbey Cochrane, from Big River Country, collected the awards for most tries (12) and most points (98) in the women's division 1 competition. The Ainge Shield will be awarded following the colts finals this weekend. The Otago Daily Times will livestream both the colts finals on Kaikorai and Dunedin will do battle in the under-20 division 1 final at Tahuna Park at 2.45pm today, and Kaikorai and Dunedin will contest the under-21 division 2 final at 12.45pm. — Additional reporting Kayla Hodge.
Otago Daily Times
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
ODT Rugby Chat: Form players share their insights
Today on ODT Rugby Chat brought to you by Garador we talk to two of the form players in club rugby this year Lucas Casey from Kaikorai and Cam Burgess from Dunedin. Paul Dwyer has to apologise to Cam for him not making the Form XV even though he was the player of the round. We ask Lucas how he has bulked up so much over the summer and why Otago still haven't given him a full contract!! The boys talk about the depth, or lack of it, at their respective clubs and how they will go this weekend. Stay with us as they give us some great insights into the local club rugby scene.
Otago Daily Times
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
ODT Rugby Chat: Form players of Club Rugby
Today on ODT Rugby Chat brought to you by Garador we talk to two of the form players in club rugby this year Lucas Casey from Kaik and Cam Burgess from Dunedin. PD has to apologise to Cam for not making the Form xv even though he was the player of the round. We ask Lucas how he has bulked up so much over the summer and Otago still haven't given him a full contract!! The boys talk about the depth or lack of at their respective clubs and how they will go this weekend. Stay with us as the give us some great insights into the local club rugby scene.
