There is one familiar surname included in the South Canterbury Heartland rugby squad named by head coach Barry Matthews on Saturday night.

First-five Daniel Dorgan has been named as one of five loan players.

Dorgan, 24, is in his fourth season for the Christchurch Rugby Club premier side but has made himself available for South Canterbury, where father Craig and great uncle Rod turned out with distinction.

Craig played 98 games for South Canterbury on the wing, from 1984 to 1993, scoring 46 tries. He was also a New Zealand Colt and represented the New Zealand Divisional XV on several occasions.

Rod Dorgan, also a first-five, was part of South Canterbury's famous 1974 Ranfurly Shield victory over Marlborough. Daniel's grandfather, Brian Dorgan, also coached numerous South Canterbury teams.

Dorgan said he was excited to be playing for South Canterbury.

"I can't wait as I have been trying to play for the last couple of seasons but (accountancy) study and work had made it awkward.

"South Canterbury have been going well so it will be great to be a part of that."

Dorgan won't be able to play until round two against Poverty Bay after a head clash with a team-mate saw him break a cheekbone and eye socket and fracture his sinus.

Matthews and assistant Grant McFarlane have looked to strengthen the front row and midfield with their loan player choices, with a few familiar faces returning.

Openside Matt Etheredge, midfielder Shayne Anderson, tighthead Kalolo Otutaha and lock Reegan O'Gorman all play metro rugby in Christchurch.

The player of origin is Henry Scott, who was a team-mate of Dorgan when they played schoolboy rugby for Roncalli.

Etheredge was a terrier for South Canterbury in 2016 and was named the rep side's player of the year.

Anderson played last year but was injured early on while Scott has played sevens for South Canterbury.

Otutaha could be a key frontrower, having previously played for Counties B. O'Gorman is the son of former Canterbury player Pat, a very handy lock.

Matthews said he was very happy with the make-up of his squad.

"I think it's a better-balanced side than we have had before and they are a lot fitter.

"There is also a lot more depth in crucial positions and there is still plenty of potential, which is great."

Celtic's Nick Strachan has been named captain after leading his club side to a 10th consecutive Hamersley Cup.

In-form players including fullback Brad Tunnicliffe (Old Boys), Timote Tuipolotu (Waimate), Solomone Lavaka (Temuka) and Zac Saunders (Celtic) have been included.

Two latecomers to club rugby, Old Boys tighthead  prop Anae Ah Sue and Pleasant Point's Cam Bailey, are also included.

Bailey played for South Canterbury in 2016 before shifting to Sydney, where he played for Manly and was included in the New South Wales wider training group.

Beaten finalists Waimate have the most players in the squad, with five, while Celtic have four. Harlequins have not contributed any for the first time in their history.

South Canterbury will play three warm-up games before the Heartland Championship kicks away to Wanganui.

First up are Canterbury Maori in Christchurch on Saturday, before Mid Canterbury in Hinds, then Otago B in Waimate.

AT A GLANCE

SC Heartland squad: Nick Strachan (captain), Willy Wright, Matt Fetu, Zac Saunders, Garret Casey (Celtic), Kalavini Leatigaga, Solomone Lavaka, Pita Siale (Temuka), Setefano Sauqaqa, Vaikoso Polonaiti (Mackenzie), Cam Bailey, Don Farmer (Pleasant Point), Marac Beckham, Andrew Gooden, BJ Oliver (Geraldine), Brad Tunnicliffe, Pita Anae Ah Sue (Old Boys) Miles Medlicott, Theo Davidson, Timote Tuipolotu, Toko'ata Fakatava, Loni Toumohuni (Waimate), Henry Scott, Matt Etheredge, Kalolo Otutaha, Dan Dorgan (Christchurch Rugby Club), Shayne Anderson, Reegan O'Gorman (Marist- Albion).

Article added: Thursday 02 August 2018