Otago keep to their winning combination

Otago have named an unchanged team for their NPC first-division match against Southland at Carisbrook today.

The only changes to the squad of 22 are in the reserves, where wing Seru Rabeni and lock Peter Bowden replace Dan Parkinson and Warren Smith.

"We're still building," Otago co-coach Wayne Graham said yesterday. "We think we've got a good 22.

"Combinations are probably the biggest issue we're facing. The more we can leave them together at this stage, the better."

Loose forward Grant Webb and first five-eighths Tony Brown were not considered because of injury.

Graham said it was important all squad members had game time and that was the reason for the changes in the reserves.

"We don't want guys sitting out game after game as reserves.

"Peter Bowden had 80 minutes last week for the development side and Warren Smith will this week."

Otago have practised only twice this week after last Sunday's win against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua.

"We had a travel day back from Rotorua on Monday and the guys had a big workload last week," Graham said. "We thought it was important to freshen them up."

Southland hooker Corey Flynn has overcome injury to lead his side.

It will be Flynn's first game for five weeks since breaking the thumb on his left hand in a pre-season game against Otago.

Coach Phil Young said: "He just wants to get out there and play footy. He's like a lion trying to get out of his cage."

The only other change is the return of No 8 Paul Miller from suspension.

Young did not consider retaining lock Steve Jackson as captain to allow Flynn to concentrate on playing.

"Corey will just lead from the front and do what he does well," Young said.

Southland will be keen to build on a strong second-half performance against Canterbury, when they picked up a bonus point last weekend.

Otago: Willie Walker, Neil Brew, Ryan Nicholas, Seilala Mapusua, Romi Ropati, Blair Feeney, Byron Kelleher, Taine Randell (capt), Sam Harding, Kelvin Middleton, Simon Maling, Filipo Levi, Carl Hayman, Nick Fisher, Joe McDonnell. Res: Silao Vaisola, Carl Hoeft, Peter Bowden, Josh Blackie, Danny Lee, Seru Rabeni, Aisea Tuilevu.

Southland: Norman Ligairi, Pailate Fili, Hayden Martine, Roy Hawker, Seremaia Bai, Ashley Barron, Jimmy Cowan, Paul Miller, Ben Herring, Hale T-Pole, Steve Jackson, Daniel Quate, Clarke Dermody, Corey Flynn (capt), Keith Cameron. Res: Bryan Milne, Richard Newman, Justin Harrison, Iona Sipa, Andrew McClintock, Brett Roberts, David Hall.

Kickoff: 2.35pm. Referee: Lachie McLeod (South Canterbury).