Larsen in Otago squad for Mitre 10 Cup

Canadian international Josh Larsen has been named in the Otago squad for the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup. The 24-year-old lock has spent the last two seasons on Northland’s books but after being a regular in 2016 did not make a senior appearance in the competition in 2017.

Now with 9 test caps to his name since making his debut in November, Larsen will suit up alongside a handful of senior internationals. Four are in the front row where Manu Samoa props Donald Brighouse and Hisa Sasagi are joined by Cook Islands captain Sam Anderson-Heather and All Blacks hooker Liam Coltman. Fiji loose forward Naulia Dawai returns after a stint with Connacht in Ireland, and Ben Smith is named though he is not expected to play due to Rugby Championship commitments.

There are three New Zealand Sevens reps in Matt Faddes, Jona Nareki, and Vilimoni Koroi. Five more have played for the ‘Baby Blacks’ – New Zealand’s u20 side – including second row Josh Dickson, halfback Josh Renton, midfielder Sio Tomkinson, wing Mitchell Scott, and fullback Michael Collins. First choice flyhalf Josh Ioane has played for Samoa u20.

Larsen is not the only Canadian connection the team. Head coach Ben Herring was an assistant under both Kieran Crowley and Geraint John with Canada’s men’s program from 2013 to early 2015. The 38-year-old has signed a three-year deal to lead Otago after a stint in Japan as defense coach with the Sunwolves in Super Rugby and the Japan national side.

The confirmation makes it three Canadians who are set to play in New Zealand’s provincial competition. Fellow lock Evan Olmstead will play for Auckland while No8 Tyler Ardron is expected to be named in the Bay of Plenty squad though he is currently battling concussion suffered while playing for the Chiefs in Super Rugby.

This year’s competition begins on August 16. Otago will play in the Championship, the second division, though they will still play some matches against Premiership sides during the season.

FORWARDS
Jonah Aiona, Donald Brighouse, Tom Hill, Hisa Sasaki, Aki Seiuli, Sam Anderson-Heather, Liam Coltman, Sekonaia Pole, Josh Dickson, Joketani Koroi, Josh Larsen, Tom Rowe, Naulia Dawai, James Lentjes, Slade McDowall, Sione Misiloi, Dylan Nel

BACKS
Kurt Hammer, Josh Renton, Josh Ioane, Finn Strawbridge, Matt Faddes, Josh Timu, Sio Tomkinson, Jona Nareki, Mitchell Scott, Michael Collins, Vilimoni Koroi, Ben Smith