Injuries from last week’s game against West Coast have resulted in changes to the North Otago side which headed north.
No8 Sione Misiloi was unable to pass a fitness test on his shoulder at Thursday night’s practice and this has forced some changes in the pack.
Old Boys flanker Maene Mapusaga comes in at No6 while Filipo Veamatahau moves to fill Misiloi’s place.
Coach Barry Stevens said there had been some changes in the backline.
Shae Tucker, who has been out injured for the last two games, comes back in at centre.
Lemi Masoe moves into 12 and Josh Casey will start at 10. In the reserves, Robbie Richardson has been bracketed with Jake Greenslade.
Jacob Coghlan will be the back-up for the loose forwards and Siua Ngalo comes back into the squad as the three-quarter reserve.
The preparation this week had been mainly about lifting the mental approach, Stevens said.
"They were pretty down on Tuesday night after West Coast so Tuesday night was about having some fun," Stevens said.
"We talked about last Saturday’s game and there was some learning taken out of it, mentally more than anything. They realise that this afternoon is a do-or-die situation. We’ve just got to focus on this afternoon’s game. We’re going into the game with a positive attitude."
One of the problems facing North Otago has been that of making an positive start.
"A lot of that comes down again to the mental attitude and the ability to tune ourselves in right from the start of the game and not wait for the opposition to come to us. We’ve got to go to them. To this end we’ve worked on our line speed in an effort to bring us into the game."
Stevens believes the pressure will be on Mid Canterbury.
"I’ve said to the guys that there is no pressure on us. All of the pressure is on them. They finished top of the Lochore qualifiers. Two years ago, they won the Meads Cup two years in a row and last year they were beaten in the Meads Cup semifinals.
"There’s no point in us holding anything back for the following week. If we do that there won’t be a next week."
In the other Lochore Cup semifinal this afternoon, King Country will play Poverty Bay in Taupo.
In the two Meads Cup semifinals, top qualifier Wanganui plays Wairarapa-Bush in Wanganui and South Canterbury hosts Buller.
This afternoon’s Lochore Cup semifinal will be only the third semifinal played between the two unions.
In 2008, Mid Canterbury won 38-24 and North Otago reversed that result with a 40-24 win in 2010.
The two unions met in the Meads Cup final in 2013, when Mid Canterbury won 26-20.
The two sides met in the first round in Ashburton this season, when the home side won 40-32.
- Terry O'Neill
North Otago v Mid Canterbury
Ashburton, today, 2.30pm
North Otago: Craig Smith, Simon Lilicama, Shae Tucker, Lemi Masoe, Matthew Vocea, Josh Casey, Robbie Smith, Filipo Veamatahau, Matt Duff, Meane Mapusaga, Jared Whitburn, Lucas Goodin, Dan Towler, Joe Pickett, Ralph Darling. Reserves: Robbie Richardson or Jake Greenslade, Meli Kolinisau, Soni Tongotongo, Jacob Coghlan, Tyron Davies, Siua Ngalo, Kayne Middleton.
Mid Canterbury: Timoci Nabakeke, Maleli Sau, Nete Caucau, Richard Catherwood, Ollie Sapsford, Jarred Percival, Will McKenzie, Tevita Ula, Jordan Stewart, Angus Lindsay, Eric Duff, Kody Nordquist, Mike Lynch, Jackson Donlan, Sam Cottam. Reserves: Brendon Rigden, Hamish Finnie, Iromi Dawai, Nick McKain, Tyler Blackburn, Seta Koroitamana, Andrew Letham.