It is starting to get near crunch time for Heartland teams, none more so than for North Otago which takes on Thames Valley in Te Aroha today.
Only one competition point separates fifth-placed Thames Valley and ninth-placed North Otago when the two teams meet this afternoon.
North Otago is just outside the top eight having lost its past two games after opening with two victories.
It needs to get back to winning form but will not find it easy against Thames Valley.Thames Valley coach Matt Bartleet, in his second year as head coach, believes this game will be vitally important.
"The winner of the game will get a crack at the Meads Cup playoffs and the loser probably won’t. By losing last week it is a quarterfinal battle for our team," he said.
"We’d simply just have to win every game after that. That would be our recipe for the rest of the competition.
"This year we have plenty of pace and fitness but probably our set pieces are not as strong as the previous year, but I feel that we have better strike power."
Bartleet said being a small union Thames Valley was often under pressure from the movement of players.
"Last year we had 11 new caps, this year we have seven. It’s always our achilles heel in Thames Valley and there’s always a tremendous battle to retain players. Anyone who shows a bit of ability is pressured by Waikato and Auckland club sides.
"Too often the players are offered a dream. I don’t blame the clubs they have to build up but I would like to see a bit more honesty."Despite the losses the side was looking to make the Meads Cup.
"The Thames Valley players have got a lot of belief and plenty of confidence. The way we fought back against King Country after conceding 20 points early in the game and there was only eight points difference at fulltime confirms that."
North Otago has made three changes to the side which went down to Horowhenua-Kapiti last Saturday. In the forwards, Kurow lock Braden Barnes joins Josh Clark who is coming back from a chest injury. That means no room for Jared Whitburn and Anthony Amato. In the backs, Antonio Misiloi takes the place of winger Hemaua Samisoni. Lock Pita Sinamoni drops out of the squad.
- Terry O'Neill
N Otago v Thames V
Te Aroha, today, 2pm
North Otago: Simon Lillicama, Antonio Misiloi, Paul Tupai, Taina Tamou, Francis Kelly, Josh Buchan, Kieran McClea, Mika Mafi, Matthew Duff, Filipo Veamatahau, Josh Clark, Braden Barnes, Meli Kolinisau, Sam Sturgess (captain), Ralph Darling. Reserves: Jake Greenslade, Kelepi Funaki, Kafaongo Katoa, Junior Fakatoufifita, Inoke Naufahu, Tyler Burgess, Matthew Vocea.
Thames Valley: Harry Lafituanail, Ethan Seymour, Sam McCahon, Kieran Lee, Reece Broughton, Ben Bonnar, Alex Bradley (captain), Christian Kelleher, Brett Ranga, Connor McVerry, Cameron Dromgool, Sitiveni Topou, Glen McIntyre, Te Huia Kutia. Reserves: Shin Ouchi, Lance Easton, Matt Rolston, Matt Hart, Matt Fisher, Nathan Emery, Matiu Abraham.