Plenty on line in Garrick’s 100th game

Not many players of the calibre of Upper Clutha co-captain Lachie Garrick come along very often.

Tomorrow, he will celebrate his 100th club appearance when his team defend the White Horse Cup — and one other special trophy — against Alexandra at the Wānaka Domain.

But do not look for Garrick to be leading his team out in the club’s traditional gold jersey.

Upper Clutha will be decked out in a specially designed Tarras Rugby Club jersey, in memory of Tarras’ most renowned player, Neil Purvis.

Tomorrow’s successful captain will take possession of two trophies — the storied White Horse Cup, which dates from 1926, and the Neil Purvis Memorial Cup.

Upper Clutha coach Mark Evans has enormous regard for Garrick.

"He’s one of the most influential captains and forwards of the modern Upper Clutha era," Evans said.

"He’s represented Otago Country since 2021 and was an Otago NPC triallist in 2022."

Another Upper Clutha player, who coincidentally hails from Tarras, will also register a notable milestone when he comes off the reserves bench. It will be Matthew Templeton’s 150th appearance.

While coach Evans is delighted to be celebrating these personal milestones, he knows the most important outcome is winning against Alexandra, the only team to defeat Upper Clutha in 2025.

Having scored a stunning victory over Upper Clutha in the 2024 club final, Alexandra proved that was no fluke with a 31-27 victory under lights at Wānaka last year, but they have not been able to recreate that level of achievement this season, and currently sit a shaky fourth in the competition.

They lost to Upper Clutha 25-10 at Molyneux Park back in April, although Alexandra coach Andrew Fisher recalls that his team won the second half that day 10-5.

Irish players have contributed massively to Alexandra’s success in recent times and the latest import, Luke Gibson — who is versatile and can operate anywhere in the backline from halfback to fullback — will make his debut tomorrow after breaking his collar bone in a preseason fixture.

In a contest that could have a massive influence on semifinal standings come July, unbeaten Cromwell will host third-placed Wakatipu at Anderson Park.

Cromwell won their first encounter 21-12 at Queenstown, but coach Roger Dawson acknowledges they are in for a tough rematch.

"Wakatipu are strong defensively, as we discovered in our first clash.

"We’ll need to up our performance from last weekend. That’s where experienced leaders like our captain Stefan Blakeborough and Hayden Todd come into their own."

Both teams are fielding full-strength combinations, which should ensure a cracking contest.

Arrowtown walloped Maniototo 47-5 in their first meeting at home but can expect a much tougher challenge in Ranfurly. Sitting in fifth place five points behind Alexandra, they desperately need to win this game.

By Bob Howitt