Joseph not under-estimating Otago

PHIL REID/Dominion Post

ON THE LINE: Wellington will field a strong lineup as they prepare to defend the Ranfurly Shield against Otago.

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Wellington coach Jamie Joseph has opted for as much experience as possible to ward off a potential ambush in tomorrow night's Ranfurly Shield defence against Otago.

Northern United tryscoring sensation Alapati Leiua's lack of big-time exposure sees clubmate Robert Fruean preferred at centre, while Jeremy Thrush has been given the chance to atone for his pre-season antics against Canterbury, seeing off the challenge of Daniel Ramsay.

In a game of lesser magnitude Joseph may well have rolled the dice but, despite being short-priced favourites with the bookmakers, the former Otago hard man is expecting a fierce southern challenge.

"In the early games some of our young guys really stuck their hands up and Alapati will be a bit brassed off that he didn't get the nod," Joseph said. "But this game is going to be a different environment on Friday night. Otago are going to be a stiff challenge so we went with experience."

The least familiar faces in the starting XV are Tawa second-five Shaun Treeby and Upper Hutt No8 Mathew Luamanu, with Joseph enthused about the prospects of both.

Treeby starred for the New Zealand under-20s this year, Luamanu the season before.

Victor Vito will start on the blindside providing he manages his calf after a minor scare at training yesterday.

Joseph said senior lock Thrush had responded well to a blast after his wayward display last Friday.

"He looked at the [Canterbury] game himself and realised that he didn't play as good as he could and he wants to make amends for that this Friday night."

A free-flowing Wellington revelled in last year's experimental law variations and expect few changes despite the Air New Zealand Cup reverting back to the old rules, though Joseph said the forwards had done more mauling work at training.

Despite the Westpac Stadium clash being a shield defence, all the talk was about attack, with Joseph vowing to target opposition tall timber Tom Donnelly and Hayden Triggs at the lineout.

"We've got Jeremy Thrush, Api Naikatini, Victor Vito, all guys that can jump and contest for the ball. Our approach, clearly for the Ranfurly Shield, is that we're going to attack them.

"We don't have a defence frame of mind," Joseph said. "Conditions may have a little bit to play in that and we understand it's going to be a little bit shitty on the weekend but generally our team is an attacking side and that's how we'll be approaching the game."

Otago's strengths lie in their Super 14 hardened locks and loose forward trio of Adam Thomson, Alando Soakai and Steven Setephano, while Fetu'u Vainikolo is a menacing threat on the wing.

SHIELD CHALLENGE: HOW THEY LINE UP

Wellington: Buxton Popoali'i, David Smith, Robert Fruean, Shaun Treeby, Hosea Gear, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Alby Mathewson, Mathew Luamanu, Scott Fuglistaller, Victor Vito, Jeremy Thrush, Api Naikatini, John Schwalger, Dane Coles, Jacob Ellison (captain). Reserves: Ged Robinson, Anthony Perenise, Daniel Ramsay, Masefau Leuluniu, Ruki Tipuna, Fa'atonu Fili, Alapati Leiua.

Otago: Ben Smith, Karne Hesketh, Brett Mather, Andrew Parata, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Chris Noakes, Sean Romans, Steven Setephano, Alando Soakai (captain), Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Hayden Triggs, Sam Hibbard, Jason Macdonald, Ben Nolan, Reserves: Peter Mirrielees, Kees Meeuws, Hoani Matenga, Paul Grant, Johnny Legg, Glenn Dickson, Luke Herden.

Tomorrow: Westpac Stadium, 7.35pm

TAB odds: Wellington $1.15, Otago $5

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