Joubert takes the reins in Otago
Eben Joubert has been named captain of a new look Otago Razorbacks team that will assemble in preparation for the 2011 National Provincial Championship (NPC).
Joubert is in his fourth season with the Razorbacks after moving to New Zealand in 2008 to further his rugby and academic career. After playing in Pretoria as part of the Bulls Super Rugby set-up, Joubert has relished the Otago environment playing 14 games for the Razorbacks until injury curtailed his 2010 season.
He commented: "I really enjoy playing for Otago rugby and the opportunity to captain the team this season is a real honour.
"It was so frustrating sitting on the sideline last season, so I can't wait for the ITM Cup to start. The squad has been training together since the start of the year, and there is real excitement among the boys leading into our pre-season games," he said.
Joubert will call on the experience of the senior players within the squad for support during the condensed 2011 ITM Cup Competition.
He explained: "This season is going to be a real challenge mentally and physically with our 10 games to be played within seven weeks, so I will be calling on advice and support from our senior players such as Kees Meeuws, Tom Donnelly and Tony Brown.
"The direction the team is heading this season is really positive with a good mix of talent in the squad, and with the team playing at the new Forsyth Barr Stadium for the last two home games of the competition, we are heading into a new and exciting era for Otago rugby" Joubert added.
The 2011 Otago Razorbacks side has a new look this season, with 16 new contracts offered to players from within Otago and from around New Zealand.
The most notable is former All Black Ben Atiga, who was also involved in the Highlanders wider training squad this season. Atiga will join journeyman flyhalf Tony Brown in a new backline that includes Tony Fenner, Hanipale Galo, New Zealand sevens star Buxton Popalii, Sam Giddens from Hawkes Bay and established Otago fullback Ben Smith.
The forward pack sees the return of Kees Meeuws for another season in the blue and gold front row. Meeuws will be leading a mix of youth and experience with eight new players joining the engine room that features All Blacks Tom Donnelly and Adam Thomson.
Up front, Junior All Black James McGougan joins Meeuws in the front row and Donnelly will lock down with Rob Verbakel who has made the move from Canterbury and Daniel Ramsey who joins the squad from Wellington.
Thomson will get plenty of support in the loose forwards with Daniel Crichton, Regan Tamihere and TJ Ione making the move south.
Otago Razorbacks squad:
Forwards: Eben Joubert (captain), Sam Anderson-Heather, Halani Aulika, Liam Coltman, Daniel Crichton, Tom Donnelly, Gareth Evans, Tom Franklin, Paul Grant, Adam Hill, Tj Ioane, Jason Macdonald, James Mcgougan, Scott Manson, Kees Meeuws, Daniel Ramsay, Adam Thomson, Regan Tamihere, Rob Verbakel.
Backs: Ben Atiga, Tony Brown, Glenn Dickson, Tony Fenner, Hanipale Galo, Sam Giddens, Joe Hill, Johhny Legg, Hayden Parker, Buxton Popoalii, Sean Romans, Ben Smith.