Dunedin and Kaikorai leaned on completely different game plans to get them through to today's premier final at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
When the pressure came on during the semifinal, Dunedin kept the ball in the middle of the park and in the hands of the forwards as it slowly marched up field, waiting for an opportunity to kick a dropped goal or for Harbour to give up a penalty.
Kaikorai's first thought was to go wide and attack through its classy midfield and the speedy players it has on the flanks.
Dunedin eventually got its penalty and Kaikorai scored two tries in the last five minutes to beat University A.
It is not the final many predicted but it should offer a fascinating contrast of styles.
Dunedin captain and hard-working lock Mark Grieve-Dunn played an instrumental role in helping his side reach the final. He had a nervous time sweating on the three handy penalties he turned down midway through the second half of the semifinal.
But he handled the ball over and over again in the final tense moments and was relieved when Louis Tili kicked his side back in front with a minute or so remaining.
He knows Kaikorai will present a much different challenge to Harbour.
"The Kaik boys like to play wide to wide and they have some skilled backs and a really good loose forward trio that allow them to do that,'' he said.
With the final to be played under the roof, the surface will be nice and dry and will suit Kaikorai's style. Dunedin will counter through its strong set piece, particularly its scrum.
With Otago players Sam Anderson-Heather and Donald Brighouse, and experienced prop Will Henry in the front row, Dunedin has been able to dominate teams up front and will look to assert itself in that area again.
"I guess we know what has worked for us all year and in finals football you've got to stick to what got you there. It is no secret we've got a strong scrum and we are going to trade on our scrum.''
Dunedin pushed Kaikorai around at Kettle Park earlier in the season but lost 23-15.
Kaikorai also won the encounter at Bishopscourt 34-32.
Kaikorai captain Blair Tweed is aware Dunedin will try to draw his team into a set-piece battle.
The game plan is to play with pace and go wide but Tweed believes Kaikorai can match Dunedin if the game becomes more of a melee.
"I think our forward pack has improved a hell of a lot in the second round,'' Tweed said.
"We showed that against Varsity and they have a pretty strong pack as well.''
Kaikorai's morale-boosting wins against Dunedin means the side will enter the match with plenty of confidence.
But as we saw in the semifinals, the favourites do not alway emerge victorious.
"It's a one-off game and anyone can win. But we've just got to turn up with the right attitude and not let the occasion get to us.''
While Dunedin has an obvious edge up front, Kaikorai looks to have a clear advantage in the midfield.
Logan Moore and Jayden Spence will probably rate their prospects of breaking through against opposites Louis Tili and Tim Tolovae.
Fullback Tony Ensor and loose forwards Paul Grant and Lee Allan also shape as key figures in the Kaikorai side.
Dunedin will rely on first five-eighth Scott Eade to plug the corners and will try to bash the ball up through impressive loose forward Hame Toma, Grieve-Dunn and the big bodies in the front row.
Premier final
Dunedin v Kaikorai
Forsyth Barr Stadium, today, 3pm
Referee: Adam Morrison
Squads
Dunedin: Tim Cossens, Henry Scott, Tim Tolovae, Louis Tili, Liam Ward, Scott Eade, Will Cosgriff, Jamie Mowat, Hame Toma, Morgan Reedy, Elliot Adamson, Mark Grieve-Dunn (captain), Donald Brighouse, Sam Anderson-Heather, Will Henry. Reserves: Aiden Lloyd, Brendan Eathorne, Harry Dodds, Lausei Pritchard, Shelford Meads, Charlie McCartin, Fapene Popoali'i.
Kaikorai: Tony Ensor, Matt Jones, Jayden Spence, Logan Moore, Danny van der Voort, Sean Conner, Kadin Brocks, Paul Grant, Slade McDowall, Lee Allan, Pita Sinamoni, Blair Tweed (captain), George Hendry, Lachie Landels, Jonah Aoina. Reserves: Blair van der Voort, Sam Wyber, Willie Miller, Shane Calder, Jordan McEntee, Mitchell Purvis, Chris Whitley.
Key match-ups
Kaikorai loose forward Lee Allan made a big impact in the semifinal win against University A. He is a quality defender and a skilful player who reads the game well. Dunedin openside Hame Toma is an explosive ball-runner who never shirks a hit-up. He is also a strong tackler with an ability to rip the ball free.
Promising Kaikorai prop Jonah Aoina has enhanced his reputation with some strong performances this season but today's match-up with Otago prop Donald Brighouse is a step up in class. Brighouse is the power behind Dunedin's scrum and a hard man to stop close to the line.
