Otago throw Dunlea a lifeline for Lions match

Otago prop Craig Dunlea has been thrown a lifeline and intends to make it count against the touring Lions rugby team at Carisbrook on Saturday.

Dunlea, 29, played for the Scottish Borders team in 2002-03 and was contracted to Otago last year when Borders coach Tony Gilbert returned to Dunedin.

"I'm excited. It's a huge opportunity just to get on to the field in a game such as this. I intend to take my chances," said Dunlea when the Otago team was announced today.

Dunlea comes in at tighthead prop in place of Carl Hayman, who is with the All Blacks.

"We'll be going hard as a team from the start on Saturday. I can't wait," he said.

Dunlea played for Mid-Canterbury in 1996-97 and then spent the next two years with the Christchurch club before heading overseas.

He played for the Howick club in Scotland and the Edinburgh and Borders regional teams.

Dunlea played two NPC games for Otago last year and has had specialist coaching from former Otago prop Steve Cumberland.

"Steve's pleased with the way he has been responding," Otago assistant coach Phil Young said.

"Craig really wants to be here and has fitted well into this environment."

The three Otago All Blacks -- Hayman, Anton Oliver and James Ryan -- are not available for the game.

This has given the chance to Dunlea, Jason MacDonald and Filipo Levi to display their wares.

"It's given other players an opportunity and I know they will not let us down," Young said.

MacDonald has sat in the shadow of All Black Anton Oliver and played just nine games for Otago over the past few years. Last year, it was just one game as a substitute.

"Jason's been sitting in the wings for a while," Young said. "It's a tremendous opportunity for him to have a start.

Levi made his provincial debut for Otago in 2000 and will play his 45th game against the Lions.

Otago have omitted hooker Peter Mirrielees and halfback Toby Morland from the 24-man squad named on Sunday.

Former Canterbury B hooker Jed Vercoe and former North Harbour halfback Chris Smylie have got the nod with both in the reserves.

The backline is the same that played for the Highlanders in the disastrous final Super 12 game against Chiefs.

"They were exposed in that game and have had a lot of time to think about it," Young said. "I'm sure they want to go out there and make amends for it."

The strength of the Otago team is in the loose forward trio of Grant Webb, Josh Blackie and Craig Newby, who can be expected to get the better of their opponents at the breakdown.

Newby will captain Otago in his first game for the province and will join Blackie in the New Zealand Juniors team for the tour to Australia.

Young has been impressed by the play of Webb at No 8.

"Grant adds something with his leadership and the three loosies work well together," Young said.

During today's training at the University Oval, the team talked about the game for the first time.

"The players are very excited," Young explained. "They want to go out there and sweat blood for each other."

Young had not played against the Lions during his own playing career. He was injured when they toured in 1977 and Otago did not play the Lions in 1983.

* Otago team:

Glen Horton, Hayden Pedersen, Neil Brew, Seilala Mapusua, Matt Saunders, Nick Evans, Danny Lee, Grant Webb, Josh Blackie, Craig Newby (captain), Tom Donnelly, Filipo Levi, Craig Dunlea, Jason MacDonald Carl Hoeft.

Reserves: Jed Vercoe, Jeremy Aldworth, Andrew McClintock, Alando Soakai, Chris Smylie, Ryan Bambry, Jason Shoemark.

- nzpa