| Nickname(s) | Razorbacks | |
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| Founded | 1881 | |
| Region | Otago | |
| Ground(s) | Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (Capacity: 30,748) | |
| Coach(es) | Phil Mooney | |
| Captain(s) | Eben Joubert | |
| League(s) | ITM Cup | |
| 2011 | 3rd, Championship Division | |
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The Otago Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union for the Otago Region of New Zealand. The union is based in the city of Dunedin, and its home ground is Forsyth Barr Stadium. The top representative team competes in the ITM Cup, New Zealand's top provincial competition.
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The union was founded in 1881, celebrating its 125th year in 2006. Since the inception of the NPC in 1976, Otago have won the competition twice, in 1991 and 1998. Furthermore, since playoffs were introduced, Otago have made the final on six occasions and the semifinals on 11.
Although Otago have not held the Ranfurly Shield since 1957, their overall performance is impressive, having won 36 of 74 shield matches, with only Auckland and Canterbury boasting a better record.
In 2011, Otago (along with the Highlanders) moved from Carisbrook, the union's traditional home, to the recently completed Forsyth Barr Stadium. A fully enclosed venue, Otago held their first home match at the new ground on the 27th of August. In front of a crowd of 14,067, the largest home gate of the season, Otago lost to Canterbury by 16 - 29.
Clubs within the union are split into two groups, Metro and Country. Clubs include:
Nicknamed the Razorbacks, the Otago team presently compete in the ITM Cup Championship Division. The 2011 season saw an improvement in Otago's performance, finishing 3rd in their division after coming last in the 2010 season.
Squad for the 2011 ITM Cup (Contracted players):
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Hookers
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Loose Forwards
Half Backs First-Fives
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Centres Wingers
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From the start of the Super Rugby competition in 1996, Otago was one of three unions (along with Southland and North Otago) to comprise the Highlanders region, and Otago players traditionally formed the bulk of the Highlanders' playing squad.
This changed in 2010 with the move to direct-contracting for Super Rugby teams, meaning that Otago players are free to sign with any of the New Zealand-based teams. Despite this change, in the 2011 Super Rugby season all Otago players competing in the competition were still playing for the Highlanders. However, due to the recent struggles of Otago and an influx of players from other provinces, Otago players no longer represent the majority of the Highlanders' playing personnel.
1991, 1998
1935 - 1938 (8), 1938 - 1938 (5), 1957 - 1950 (18), 1957 - 1957 (1)
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