Andrew Hore set to return for Otago

Andrew Hore (Photosport file)
Andrew Hore (Photosport file)

Former All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore is set to make his return to professional rugby for Otago in Friday’s Mitre Ten Cup Championship final against North Harbour in Dunedin.

The 38-year-old debuted for Otago in 1998, the last time they were in the NPC final, and is almost certain to play this week with regular hooker Sam Anderson-Heather battling a calf injury and Liam Coltman away with the All Blacks.

Otago coach Cory Brown didn’t hesistate to send an SOS to Hore who hasn’t played first-class rugby since making an appearance for Southland two years ago.

"He's got an awesome amount of experience and a really good Otago man and he’s been playing representative rugby for Otago Country and for Maniototo, so he said he's raring to go."

The 83-Test All Black trained with the Otago team at Forsyth-Barr Stadium this morning, and Brown liked what he saw.

"He was really good. You don't need to teach the old dog too much.  He knows how to play rugby, so he nailed his roles straight away."

Hore's achieved a lot in his illustrious career, and Brown thinks helping Otago back into the Premiership division will be another motivating factor.

"He's done a lot in rugby, he’s won World Cups, and now he's gonna get a final for Otago under the roof at Forsyth-Barr Stadium, so that's another chapter to his book I guess."

Otago name their team tomorrow.

Newshub.