The semifinal between North Otago and South Canterbury in Timaru today will be the 136th game between the unions, but that will matter little to the players involved.
For the winning team, there will be a place in the Lochore Cup final against either King Country or Wanganui.
A Wanganui win today would mean that the winner of the North Otago v South Canterbury game would have a home final.
North Otago won the round robin clash 22-19 at Forsyth Barr Stadium, but on its home ground before its own supporters, South Canterbury, even though it has lost its last three games, should start as the favourite.
South Canterbury has had a close association with the Lochore Cup, having made the finals in 2012 and 2013.
It was beaten 31-28 by Buller in 2012 but last season, in Timaru, it claimed the trophy with a 17-10 win over Buller.
North Otago's only venture into the Lochore Cup was in 2009, when it beat West Coast 21-13 in Greymouth in the final.
North Otago has made two changes in the backs from the line-up that started against East Coast.
Lemi Masoe, North Otago's most experienced back, returns after a groin injury to replace winger Siosiua Ngalo, who drops out of the squad. Robbie Smith, who came off the bench against East Coast, regains his position at halfback.
In the forwards, prop Palenapa Mafi drops to the bench, Ralph Darling is at loosehead and Rob Mafileo at tighthead, and Kilioni Taufa comes in as hooker.
Manu Taiti, who has impressed when coming off the bench, will add to North Otago's lineout and give it added pace in the loose.
Prop Palenapa Mafi will earn his 50th cap if he comes off the bench.
The major change in the South Canterbury side sees regular first five-eighth Kurt Rooney relegated to the reserves.
He is replaced by Englishman Angus Compton-Bowyer, who was impressive when he came on in the first encounter between the two sides.
In the other Lochore Cup semifinal, King Country will host Wanganui.
In the Meads Cup semifinals, unbeaten Buller will play Horowhenua-Kapiti, and defending champion Mid Canterbury will travel to Gisborne to play Poverty Bay.
- Terry O'Neill
Lochore Cup semifinal
Timaru, today, 2.30pm
North Otago: Simeli Koniferedi, Lemi Masoe, Tenina Sauileoge, Ekeroma Sauileoge, Matthew Vocea, Ben Palmer, Robbie Smith, Samisoni Tongotongo, Manulua Taiti, Josh Clark (captain), Jared Whitburn, Sale Pi'i, Rob Mafileo, Kilioni Taufa, Ralph Darling. Reserves: Hayden Tisdall, Palenapa Mafi, Matt Mullins, Matt Duff, Cameron Keenan, Stephen Fenemor, Joe Marston.
South Canterbury: Jared Trevathan, Matt Young, Paula Fifita, Miles Medlicott, Erenimo Tau, Angus Compton Bowyer, Sekope Maea, Josateki Veikune, Nick Strachan (captain), Sam Vea, Tuia Tauelangi, Tom Dwyer, Timaru Tafa, Ben Hewitson, Mat Fetu. Reserves: Telusa Latu, Tokoma'ata Kakatava, Matt Stewart, Kali Latu, Theo Davidson, Kurt Rooney, Tenari Saumani.
ROAD TO THE SEMIS
North Otago
• Record: Lost to Buller (17-9), beat Poverty Bay (41-34), lost to Wanganui (20-15), lost to King Country (17-14), beat Thames Valley (19-15), beat South Canterbury (22-19), lost to Mid Canterbury (28-7), beat East Coast (45-5).
• Leading scorer: Ben Palmer, 40 points.
• Top try-scorers: Ralph Darling 4, Sale Pi'i 3, Robbie Smith 2, Samisoni Tongotongo 2, Tenina Sauileoge 2.
South Canterbury
• Record: Beat Wanganui (31-18), beat West Coast (49-15), beat Wairarapa-Bush (43-16), lost to Buller (19-10), beat Poverty Bay (32-28), lost to North Otago (22-19), lost to Horowhenua-Kapiti (23-11), lost to Mid Canterbury (24-7).
• Leading scorer: Paula Fifita, 65 points.
• Leading try-scorer: Erenimo Tau 5.
