At stake is the coveted White Horse Cup, which Arrowtown has held for the best part of three years, losing it in 2010 to Upper Clutha and winning it back a fortnight later from Cromwell.
For Maniototo, on the other hand, it has been a long time between drinks, with the Central draw meaning it has not been able to challenge for the White Horse for two years.
Speaking to the Queenstown Times yesterday, Maniototo club captain Ryan Dowling said the team's game plan was to win.
"We want it. The way the seasons have worked, we never got a crack when we played Arrowtown ... it'll be great."
Plenty of supporters from Maniototo and the wider Ranfurly region are expected to travel to Arrowtown on Saturday in the hopes of celebrating with the cup on the return trip.
However, Dowling said his side was "a wee bit shaky", with the players, primarily from a farming background, "a bit slow starting".
Maniototo, the 2011 Central Otago champion, suffered a 22-9 loss to Wakatipu in the first round of the 2012 competition on March 31, its first loss in a long time.
Dowling said it was a busy time for farmers, so there had not been many training runs of late and, despite rumours circulating for weeks Maniototo would be bolstering its team by fielding at least one of its Highlanders - Maniototo farmer and All Black Andrew Hore - Dowling said that was not the case.
"There won't be any of that.
"He [Hore] won't be playing; he needs to give the body a rest."
Maniototo also signed England player James Haskell and new Highlander Hosea Gear, neither of whom are expected to play, despite the Highlanders having a bye this weekend.
Meanwhile, Arrowtown coach Hayden Finch said his side "can't wait" to get on the field, having destroyed Matakanui-Combined in the first round 52-0.
The side was expected to be at almost full strength, but was aware of the massive challenge that will confront it on Saturday.
"For Maniototo ... it's something they've been looking for for a couple of years.
"They have been wanting this game for a long time; they're going to be pretty fired up."
Finch said his side did not have a strategy, other than to stick to the game plan and, at the final whistle, hopefully have done enough to keep the White Horse.
"The boys have trained really hard for two months ... this is the game we've been waiting for.
"This is the game that's been on our minds."
He was also mindful of Maniototo's recent loss, which would provide additional motivation for the traditionally strong side.
For Arrowtown though, having the White Horse Cup on the line was enough motivation.
"We know the whole of Ranfurly and that region will be here. They think they're going to take it away back on the bus with them.
"We need everyone there to make sure they don't."
Club president Simon Spark said the epic challenge on the field would be marked with the annual Sponsor's Day, thanking the 40 businesses and individuals who supported the Arrowtown side.
Kick-off is at Jack Reid Park at 2.45pm. At the same time Wakatipu will aim to win two from two when it takes on Matakanui Combined at the Queenstown Recreation Ground.
