Otago hasn't won rugby's Ranfurly Shield for over 50 years but the Otago Rugby Union's banking on an Australian who's only been on the scene for seven months to end the drought.
1957 was the last time the Shield was in residence at Carrisbrook and tomorrow's local derby against Southland doubles as a Shield challenge.
A first-up loss to Counties-Manukau though has Otago given little chance of success and former Queensland coach Phil Mooney, who's now in charge of Otago, says they need to improve markedly when it comes to maintaining possession.
But he admits it would be somewhat ironic if an Australian helped Otago bring the Shield back to Dunedin.
