North Otago will go into this afternoon's Lochore Cup final with some confidence, coming off two impressive performances and with a settled starting line-up.
North Otago has made no changes to the starting side for the final against King Country in Te Kuiti this afternoon, the only change on the bench being that of loose forward Samisoni Tongotongo, replacing Jake Greenslade.
It will be North Otago's third Lochore Cup final. Last season in Oamaru, Wanganui beat the home side 14-12 after North Otago had beaten South Canterbury in the semifinal.
In 2009, North Otago beat West Coast in the final 21-13 in Greymouth. In the semifinals that season, North Otago beat King Country 31-27 after defeating it 35-10 in the qualifying round in Oamaru.
North Otago has shown impressive form in its last two games, losing to Mid Canterbury 39-36 and in the semifinals last weekend in Levin, beating Horowhenua-Kapiti 57-12.
North Otago scored 14 tries in those two games and conceded seven.
Coach Barry Stevens said yesterday his side was excited to make the final.
''We've worked hard to get here but we're just taking it as another game, so we're not getting too carried away. We've got a lot of young guys in the side and we want to approach the game like any other game and continue the development we've had,'' he said.
The semifinal against Horowhenua-Kapiti last week was a big boost, he said.
''We're very much a confidence team and over the past two or three weeks the side has grown in confidence and I think it's the belief we've got in the systems and procedures have helped. A lot of the players are starting to believe they've got that ability.''
This mix of youth and experience is beginning to gel.
''I honestly believe we're one of the most skilful sides in the competition. We've got guys with a lot of skill and ability. It's just a matter of putting a game plan around that ability and allowing them to play within that.
"Players like Maene Mapusaga, Taua Limuloa, Filipo Veamatahau, Lemi Masoe, Aleki Morris and Sala Halaleva have all got talent. It's just a matter of getting them to express themselves.''
Both sides have similar patterns from the season. Both won four of their eight qualifying games, with King Country scoring 245 points to North Otago's 189 while conceding 192 points and 252 points respectively.
In the semifinals, both King Country and North Otago defeated teams that had beaten them in the qualifying rounds.
King Country lost to Buller 32-20 and then won the semifinal 20-6, while North Otago lost to Horowhenua-Kapiti 26-22 but avenged that with its big win in Levin.
The weather in Te Kuiti for today's game is forecast to be showery.
- Terry O'Neill
Lochore Cup final
North Otago v King Country
Te Kuiti, today, 1.30pm
North Otago: Oscar Pamment, Sala Halaleva, Aleki Morris, Lemi Masoe, Sale Pi'I, Ben Palmer, Inoke Naufahu, Filipo Veamatahau, Manu Taiti, Maene Mapusaga, Taua Limuloa, John Kelly, Palenapa Mafi, Sam Sturgess, Ralph Darling (captain). Reserves: Sione Palaa, Meli Kolinsau, Samisoni Tongotongo, Matt Duff, Cameron Keenan, Jason Forrest, Piliu Tavaki.
King Country: James Hemara, Iliesa Tavuyara, Te Waiti Mareikura, Joe Perawiti, Dean Church, Te Hata Wilbore, Zayn Tipping, Rob Sherson, Sam Mason, Anthony Wise, Ray Edwards, Aarin Dunster (captain), Brian Mansfield, Sean Wanden, Steve Te Moananui. Reserves: Sam Holder, Charlie Henare, Manuele Alofa, Michael Foden, Carl Watkins, Jesse Williams, Turanga King.
