The men from Ashburton have former All Black Regan King in their side.
King spent most of his career in Wales but washed up in Ashburton this season, as he was friends with Mid Canterbury co-coach Craig Dunlea, who suggested he head south and keep playing.
North Otago coach Nigel Walsh is looking for his side to bounce back after a last-minute loss to Horowhenua-Kapiti last week.
"We talked about ... learning from our mistakes, as we let the game slip away from our grasp. They’ll just have to get back on the horse ... and make sure they come out with the right result," he said.
"Mid Canterbury had a good win over Poverty Bay last weekend so they’ll come down here with plenty of confidence."
North Otago had nine players making their debuts last weekend and many will have found Heartland rugby is a different level from the club game. Walsh believed a lot of lessons were handed out.‘‘The physicality of the game alone knocked some of our boys around. It was a big learning curve.
We’ve got to learn to finish the game off when we have a grip on the game. But the scrum went well, as did the lineout.
"Now we’ve just got to be able to add the finishing touches. We ripped the opposition apart three or four times but we just didn’t finish it off.
"We must learn to start well and play our own game. Mid Canterbury had a good win in the first round and they’ll come down here pretty confident."
North Otago has made three changes for the game. Hooker Sam Sturgess did not pass a fitness test on a corked thigh on Thursday night and Joe Pickett gets the start. Excelsior three-quarter Aaron Martin will come into the squad replacing Kurow’s Jonny Masters and Morgan Dawes comes on to the bench with Don Lolo having to withdraw because of work commitments.
Front rower Timoci Bulitava comes on to the North Otago bench.
The sides clashed twice last year and had a win each.
- Terry O'Neill
N. Otago v Mid Canty
Oamaru, today, 2pm
North Otago: Josh Buchan, Aaron Martin, Sala Halaleva, Lemi Masoe, Matthew Vocea, Dan Lewis, Robbie Smith (co-captain), Mika Mafi, Matt Duff, Filipo Veamatahau, Josh Clark, Melikisua Kolinisau, Joe Pickett, Ralph Darling (co-captain). Reserves: Timoci Bulitava, Petelo Pouhila, Morgan Dawes, Junior Fakatoufifita, Sefo Maake, Antini Brown, Oscar Pamment.
Mid Canterbury: Jared Percival, Maleli Sau, Tom Hanham-Carter, Regan King, Christian Vainerere, Jason Kjestrup, Will McKenzie, Sam Finau, Hamish McKenzie, Phil Watson, Angus Lindsay, Eric Duff, Adam Stewart, Jackson Donlan, Mark Andrew. Reserves: Phil Mills, Adam Williamson, Seta Koroitammana, Kurt Polson, Tyler Blackburn, Timoci Nabakeke, Dan Fransen.