Taieri blasted aside University A 51-6 this time last year but tomorrow's final shapes as a much more even contest. Club rugby writer Adrian Seconi reports.
Taieri v University A
Forsyth Barr Stadium
Tomorrow, 2.30pm
Previous games: Taieri 42-29 (Peter Johnstone Park), University A 29-28 (University Oval).
Form
Taieri beat Southern 25-21 in the opening semifinal, but had Magpies goal kicker Bryce Hosie not had such a bad day, the Eels would have had this weekend off.
The defending champion found itself under pressure at scrum time and, aside from Michael Collins, its backline tended to drift across the field.
But point-scoring machine Josh Casey landed all seven of his attempts and flanker James Lentjes scored a vital second-half try.
Taieri knows how to win the big games and will be chasing its fourth title in five years.
Had Dunedin not fallen away so alarmingly late in the season, University A might have been watching the playoffs from the sidelines.
The first real signs the students were title contenders came during the 60-8 thrashing of Dunedin in round 13.
Their 35-33 win over Harbour in the second semifinal will have given Taieri's coaching unit plenty to ponder.
Classy centre Matt Faddes grabbed two tries and was the standout performer in a backline which always threatened.
Key taieri players
The usual suspects.
Lock Josh Larsen provides a safe option in the lineout. Loose forwards Charlie O'Connell, James Lentjes and Willis Scott operate well together.
Midfield back Michael Collins has found some good form and will straighten the attack.
And Casey, well, he just keeps knocking over conversions and penalties. He is also a very dangerous ball runner with 16 tries this season.
Key University A players
The biggest threats are out wide and none is more potent than Faddes.
He has pace, an eye for the gap and he reads the game well.
And with players such as winger Gavin Stark outside him, University A can draw on some formidable strike power.
Lock Josh Dickson had a standout match in the semifinal.
He is an important player in the pack along with loosies Jack Wolfreys and Dillon Hunt.
Seconi's tip
Well, I was 0-2 last week and I'm leaning towards University A.
That probably means Taieri will win.
