Rugby Miter 10 Cup: All Black Josh Ioane and Vilimoni Koroi withdrew for Otago for violating team protocol

All Blacks rising star Josh Ioane is one of two players eliminated by Otago for tonight’s Miter 10 Cup clash against Northland for violating team protocol.

Ioane and Vilimoni Koroi will attend the match but will not be stripped for the game. The Otago Daily Times understands that the couple violated the team’s alcohol policy.

Otago coach Tom Donnelly said it was his decision to leave them and it just came down to the players not meeting the team’s standards.

He declined to say what the duo did, saying the decision had been made and it was “time to move on.”

Otago will now have to beat Northland without a couple of its biggest players. The All Black Ioane from a test is the first five-eighth starting, while Koroi is a wire on the back and is seen as the backup in the number 10 jersey behind Ioane.

Jono Hickey, who is usually a running back, will start the game in the first five eighths, while Michael Collins, who started in the second fifth last week, has returned to fullback.

Hickey was also selected for being a missing goal kicker for Otago without Ioane and Koroi.

Matt Whaanga makes his first season start and will team up in midfield with Josh Timu.

Hickey has yet to start a game in the first five eighths for Otago, but he is a versatile player with a lot of experience.

Harrison Boyle, who has played the first five eighths, will be in the reserves.

Giovanni Leituala has also been named in reserve and it is an opportunity to make his first class debut on the field.

The front group has only one change with Jamie Mackintosh starting on the loose-headed side of the scrum, as George Bower is set to head to Australia with the All Blacks.

Northland has moved seasoned running back Sam Nock to the reserve bank, while it will be Captain Jordan Olsen’s 50th game for the province.

Josh Goodhue and Tom Robinson provide the muscle for Northland’s side. Mountaineers outside back Scott Gregory will start as fullback for Northland while Going, Kalani, will be on the baseline.

This is a decisive match for both teams with Otago first tied in the Miter 10 Cup championship table with 20 points and Northland just behind in third place with 18 points.

Brady Rush is the son of former national sevens captain Eric Rush and will make his Northland debut if he enters the field.

Northland beat Otago 40-10 last year at Whangarei.

Otago v Northland – Forsyth Barr Stadium, 7.05pm

Otago: Michael Collins (c), Freedom Vahaakolo, Josh Timu, Matt Whaanga, Jona Nareki, Jono Hickey, Kayne Hammington, Sione Misiloi, Dylan Nel, Charles Elton, Josh Dickson, Jack Regan, Josh Hohneck, Liam Coltman, Jamie Mackintosh. Reserves: Ricky Jackson, Jonah Aoina, Hisa Sasagi, Will Tucker, Nasi Manu, James Arscott, Harrison Boyle, Giovanni Leituala

Northern region: Scott Gregory, Jona Macilai, Rene Ranger, Kalani Going, Pisi Leilua, Dan Hawkins, Will Grant, Matt Matich, Kara Pryor, Tom Robinson, Temo Mayanavanua, Josh Goodhue, Kalolo Tuiloma, Jordan Olsen (c), Luatangi Li. Reserves: Paddy Atkins, Ross Wright, Coree Te Whata-Colley, Sam Caird, Rob Rush, Sam Nock, Johnny Cooper, Brady Rush