Both won regional championships but only one can lay claim to being the best club in Otago Country. Alexandra hosts Clutha in the countrywide final tomorrow. Otago Daily Times correspondents argue their respective cases.
South Otago
By Fracnis Parker
It is probably safe to say Clutha has been the benchmark team in country rugby this year.
Unbeaten and riding high after smashing Heriot in the South Otago final last weekend, Clutha is effectively the ultimate team.
It has a depth of quality in the squad, and the players believe in each other and show tremendous passion for the red and white.
Clutha has the classic mix of older, experienced players and the raw excitement of the younger members of the squad.
Coach Ben Keach pinpoints three things that have made Clutha a champion team this season:
Pre-season dedication: ''Since early January, the boys have been putting the hard yards in, both as a team and individually.''
Team spirit: ''The boys really enjoy each other's company. They have played for each other all year and there is healthy competition for spots in the starting team.''
Defence: ''Having only leaked an average of 10 points a game this season, this has put our team in the great position we are in.''
The Clutha side has strengths all over the park. The tight five is dominant at scrum time and mobile around the field, the loose forwards hit breakdowns hard and with purpose and the backline is well drilled and running on plenty of confidence after putting 13 tries past Heriot last Saturday.
Joe Laban has been terrorising opposition front rows all season, and is like another loose forward with his work rate around the park, while Kerrod Baldwin is key at lineout time.
Fullback Heath Culbertson, in his first year back in the game, has been another to stand out this season. He always seems to pop up in the right place at the right time, and is great under the high ball.
Clutha, which will field an unchanged starting XV from the South Otago final, is heading to Alexandra with one purpose: to prove it is the best team in country rugby this season.
Central Otago
By Rhys Chamberlain
Alexandra goes into the countrywide final on a high after beating Maniototo 23-20 in the Central Otago final last weekend.
The side is looking to finish a historic jubilee season with a win at Molyneux Park after it became the champion for the first time in 21 years.
Alexandra assistant coach Shane Ryan told the Otago Daily Times yesterday that ''a few people let [them] know'' what Clutha was like and his team would most definitely be up for it.
''It's sort of a bonus [this game]. We've done a bit of research and we know a bit about what they're like. We should have a good chance for a win.''
Alexandra was unlikely to change what has been a winning formula this year and would rely on speed and a solid defensive line to win the match, he said.
Against Maniototo, it forced mistakes, which it was then able to turn into points.
Ryan said his key players would stand up.
''Definitely our centres need to have a good game again this weekend. You know, Simon Lloyd, he's just got better and better.''
Alexandra's forwards would also need to perform well in the set piece, he said.
Alexandra's backline has been a revelation this year, especially since former Kaikorai stalwart Bevan Passmore was moved in to first five-eighth.
He has controlled a backline which boasts a classy midfield and some unassuming outside backs in the form of Sam Malcolm and Rory Campbell.
The two wingers have been prominent all year. Opposition teams have tended to take them lightly and paid the price.
In the forwards, Shane Harrex has been outstanding on the ball at ruck time and often unheralded No8 Dave Lilley has led the pack well.
