Sam Gilbert and Nikora Broughton. Graphic: Liam K. Swiggs Photo: PHOTOSPORT
It's the business end of this year's National Provincial Championship and for one of these sides, it's been a long while since their last semi-final. Otago, once a constant presence at the top of New Zealand provincial rugby, has not made this stage of the season since 2006, but now are primed to make a bid for glory with a young and exciting squad.
Standing in their way are an equally youthful Bay of Plenty Steamers side, full of Sevens experience and coming off a statement victory last weekend over pre-season favourites Tasman.
Mark Brown and Richard Watt. Photo: ActionPress
Otago: 1. Abraham Pole, 2. Nic Souchon, 3. Rohan Wingham, 4. Will Tucker, 5. Oliver Haig, 6. Will Stodart, 7. Lucas Casey, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Dylan Pledger, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 13. Josh Whaanga, 14. Jae Broomfield, 15. Sam Gilbert (c)
Bench: 16. Liam Coltman, 17. Benjamin Lopas, 18. Moana Takataka, 19. Joseva Tamani, 20. Harry Taylor, 21. Nathan Hastie, 22. Sam Nemec-Vial, 23. Finn Hurley
Bay of Plenty: 1. Josh Bartlett, 2. Taine Kolose, 3. Tevita Mafileo, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi (c), 5. Aisake Vakasiuola, 6. Jacob Norris, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Richard Judd, 10. Lucas Cashmore, 11. Fehi Fineanganofo, 12. Seamus Bardoul, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Kele Lasaqa, 15. Cole Forbes
Bench: 16. Sione Tupou, 17. Hareiti Hetet, 18. Benet Kumeroa, 19. Semisi Paea, 20. Joe Johnston, 21. Charlie Sinton, 22. Reon Paul, 23. Ngarohi McGarvey-Black
Otago selections
Otago's Josh Whaanga. Photo: ActionPress
Only two changes to the side from last weekend, with Oliver Haig coming back in at lock and Josh Whaanga replacing the injured Josh Timu at centre. That pushes impressive Joseva Tamani to the bench, but it also means Finn Hurley comes back onto it after a long injury layoff.
BOP selections
Naitoa Ah Kuoi. Photo: ActionPress
Big one here is that captain Kurt Eklund is out with injury, replaced by Taine Kolose at hooker while Naitoa Ah Kuoi will lead the side. All Black in waiting Tevita Mafileo replaces the unavailable Pasilio Tosi at prop and Richard Judd swaps in for Charlie Sinton at halfback in what might be a hint at a more defensive gameplan.
Key stats
Cam Millar. Photo: ActionPress
BOP are hoping to go one better than last year, when they lost the NPC final in extra time to Wellington. It's the closest they've come to a second title after winning the inaugural competition in 1976.
Otago last made the semi-finals in 2006, when they lost to eventual champions Waikato. They last won the NPC in 1998, with the Highlanders making the Super 12 final the next year in what was a real high water mark for the region.
Otago first five Cam Millar currently leads the competition points scorers with 137, a status he will keep no matter what happens tonight as the closest other active player is Lincoln McClutchie with 54. BOP winger Fehi Fineanganofo needs one more try to take an outright lead as top tryscorer, he currently has nine however Otago's Lucas Casey and Dylan Pledger are right behind him on eight and seven respectively.
What they're saying
"It's an exciting week for the team in many ways. Obviously reaching the semi-finals is exciting and a culmination of the hard work and the belief this team grown throughout the season." - Otago coach Mark Brown.
"At this stage of the season, you're not playing easy teams - they're all quality sides." - BOP coach Richard Watt.
The last time they met
Otago 31 - BOP 26
These sides actually haven't met this season, and we have to go all the way back to August of last year when Otago handed BOP one of only three losses they suffered on their way to a spot in the final.
What's going to happen
If these two sides keep up the form they've shown, this one should be an absolute barnburner under the roof at Forsyth Barr. Otago currently have two of the most exciting young players in the country in Pledger and Casey, as well as the firepower out wide of Nareki and now Hurley off the bench. BOP will likely try and counter with their solid set piece, although they have plenty of pace of their own.
It is pretty foreseeable that we will see this coming down to the wire like we did last weekend in Dunedin, however both sides have experience in winning tight games recently.
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