Liam Coltman: The former All Black chasing Otago's 'dream' title

Evergreen hooker Liam Coltman became just the 23rd Otago player, and the first in more than two decades, to reach a century of appearances for the Blue and Golds when he scored a try, executed a faultless lineout and helped Otago retain the Ranfurly Shield with a 41-26 win over North Harbour in Dunedin on September 27.

This Saturday, the 35-year-old will come off the bench for his 104th Otago match in a sold-out NPC final against Canterbury at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch. Coltman has been part of three Ranfurly Shield-winning teams, won a Super Rugby title with the Highlanders in 2015 and played eight Tests for the All Blacks between 2016 and 2019. Delivering a first NPC title for Otago since 1998 would just about top his list of considerable achievements.

“It would be absolutely massive, a dream come true, the cherry on top of the cake this season,” Coltman told RugbyPass. “The NPC means a lot to this region. The support this year has been incredible, just as it has been throughout my whole career.

“For us, we need to treat it like another game and continue doing what has worked for us. The difference is that this game will be harder in terms of contact and speed.”

“My 100th game was a special moment for my family. I led the team onto the field with my daughters, Tilly and Ruby. They’re eight and six, and they had bragging rights at school on Monday for being on TV.”

Otago has won seven consecutive matches for the first time since 1998. They have scored 56 tries in 2025, a record only surpassed by the 1998 champions, who scored 67 tries.

Coltman debuted for Otago in a forgettable 29-13 loss to Counties Manukau in 2010. This season, he believes Otago has struck the right balance between youth, experience, and selflessness.

“Sam Gilbert, Will Tucker, and Will Stoddard have been great leaders within the team. It’s cool to see those boys who’ve been here a while, riding the highs and lows, now leading the group. We also have some sensational young players, like Dylan Pledger, and coach Mark Brown really allows the group to express themselves, so we’ve got a good mix,” Coltman said.

“Henry Bell broke his collarbone in my 100th game, and I was absolutely gutted for him. Nic Souchon, a great player from Southland who has played for Otago, has come in to take his place. He’s good around the field and awesome with his throw-ins. The way he stepped up in the semi-final against Bay of Plenty was really professional. I’m pleased with how he has settled in. Everyone is focused on what’s best for the team.”

Dylan Pledger, a precocious 20-year-old halfback, has emerged as the best rookie in the NPC with ten starts in 11 matches, scoring eight tries. A growing chorus of critics is calling for his inclusion in either the All Blacks XV or even the All Blacks. With 138 matches and 70 wins for the Highlanders, and now his century for Otago, Coltman is as sound a judge as one can find when assessing a pretender versus a contender.

“He’s an absolute class player, something very special. He reads the game really well for someone his age and has unbelievable skills. What these kids can do in the gym these days is unreal. I have a high regard for how he carries himself,” Coltman accalmied.

Few enjoy the durability of Coltman, who this season alone has played 29 games, including a stint in Major League Rugby with Utah (16 games, 11 wins, 10 tries). Between 2022 and 2024, he made 46 appearances for Lyon in France.

Originally from New Plymouth, Otago is where his heart resides, and he has a unique record. In 2013, he was part of the first Otago team in 56 years to win the Ranfurly Shield when they beat Waikato 26-19 in Hamilton, claiming the Log o’ Wood after 22 consecutive unsuccessful challenges that included 10 defeats by less than a converted try. On that wet night of August 23, TJ Ioane scored Otago’s only try, and Hayden Parker kicked 21 points.

Fast forward seven years, and Coltman scored a try in Otago’s euphoric 30-19 challenge against Taranaki in New Plymouth. On September 20 in Christchurch, Otago rallied from being down 36-21 to topple Canterbury 38-36, with Coltman scoring the winning try.

The following week, Otago retained the Shield for the summer, and Coltman became the first Otago player since Scottish captain John Leslie in 1997 to reach 100 appearances for Otago. Leslie played 122 games (82 wins, 33 tries) for Otago between 1991 and 2004. John won four senior club championships with Otago University and has coached Northland in the NPC. His father Andy Lesile was an All Blacks captain and his brother Martin Lesile a Scottish international.

“The big games, like Ranfurly Shield challenges, Super Rugby finals, and All Blacks Tests, stand out as my most memorable. Equally special are the games where other guys hit milestones. There have been a lot of them, like Will Tucker reaching 50 games a couple of weeks ago, and he’s been huge for us this season,” Coltman said.

Tucker has claimed more lineouts than any player in the NPC, and Otago has the most accurate lineout in the competition. Canterbury has scored five more tries; Coltman noted, “I’ve only beaten Canterbury three times in my whole career. Every Canterbury side is strong up front and clinical out wide. A sold-out crowd is massive. We can’t wait for Saturday.”

Otago v Canterbury – NPC History

In the NPC era (1976 to present), Canterbury leads Otago with a record of 39-19 in all meetings. However, Otago won their last playoff matchup, a semi-final in 2005, 37-22 at Lancaster Park in Christchurch. Maori All Blacks halfback Chris Symile scored two tries in that game, while All Black Nick Evans booted a dozen points.

Canterbury and Otago, who have combined for 16 championships, have faced each other in one final, held in Christchurch in 2001. In that match, Otago was leading 16-6 at halftime, thanks in part to a full house from Scottish international Brendan Laney, who scored a try, a conversion, two penalties, and a drop goal. Despite heavy conditions, Canterbury rallied to secure a victory. All Black Andrew Mehrtens scored 20 points, and Canterbury rugby legend Todd Blackadder, who played 128 games, scored 36 tries and achieved 84 wins, was sent off as an NPC winner for the second time in his last appearance. Earlier that season, Canterbury had crushed Otago 62-19, with Richie McCaw scoring three tries in a performance that is considered a breakout game for the two-time All Blacks Rugby World Cup-winning captain.

Mehrtens is synonymous with the Canterbury-Otago rivalry. In one of the most famous games between the two teams in 1994, he kicked a last-minute penalty that lifted the Red & Blacks to a 22-20 Ranfurly Shield victory at a sold-out Lancaster Park. Canterbury wing Paula Bale, who played 102 games and scored 93 tries with 68 wins, scored two classic tries, and All Blacks halfback Stu Forster scored a memorable length-of-the-field try for Otago. Earlier that season, Otago had delivered a record-breaking 56-25 defeat to Canterbury, with All Blacks Taine Randall and Stephen Bachop each scoring three tries.

The first NPC meeting between these provinces took place in 1976, where Canterbury won 34-12 in Christchurch. Second five-eighths Donald Stewart scored two tries in that match. The Canterbury pack featured three All Blacks: John Ashworth, Vance Stewart, and Alex ‘Grizz’ Wyllie.

Interestingly, Otago has won three of the last five games, after Canterbury enjoyed a 14-game winning streak between 2005 and 2020. They have won twice in five games at Apollo Projects Stadium.

All time. Played 171 Canterbury w 95, Otago 66, 10 draws. 1st played 1877 in Cramner Square, Chch. Otago won 2T-0