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9 Jan 2026 19:23

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Christian Lio-Willie returns to the Otago side for their NPC match away to Wellington this weekend

Christian Lio-Willie returns to the Otago side for their NPC match away to Wellington this weekend

13 August 2025

Lio-Willie, after missing All Blacks selection for the Rugby Championship after two tests against France, was rested last week against Hawke's Bay.

New Zealand under-20s halfback Dylan Pledger has been given his first NPC start for Otago.

Elsewhere, wing Caleb Tangitau has been named on Auckland's bench for their Saturday afternoon home game against Taranaki, having been out of rugby since the start of April when he suffered a groin injury playing for the Highlanders.

Captain David Havili moves to fullback for Tasman's visit to Northland, with Leicester Fainga'anuku starting at centre after returning to New Zealand rugby last week off the wing.

NPC COVERAGE WITH ENZED SAFETY BLACKWOODS. TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

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Other Lower South Island News

07 Jan: Three Lotto players from Auckland, Matamata and Timaru are in for a treat after sharing one million tonight

07 Jan: Otago rescue teams have located a body on the southern side of Mount Huxley

05 Jan: A recreational boatie has come to the rescue of two men stranded in a remote part of Fiordland over the weekend

05 Jan: One person has died following a single-vehicle crash in Wanaka

04 Jan: The Northern Brave have beaten the Sparks - formerly the Otago Sparks - by 24 runs in their women's Super Smash T20 game in Mount Maunganui

04 Jan: Otago Police are appealing for the public's help after a ute was stolen from a local address with the owner's dogs still inside

01 Jan: Five people have been injured after a three-vehicle crash east of Queenstown

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