North Otago have given themselves every chance to lift another trophy when they host Horowhenua-Kapiti in the Lochore Cup final at Maheno tomorrow.
The Old Golds make a welcome return to the playoffs after missing last year for the first time in 25 years and will be hoping to cap off the season on the right foot in front of their home fans.
They finished the regular Heartland Championship season in sixth place with five wins and three losses.
They went on to pull out something special to come from behind and beat Poverty Bay 48-46 in the Lochore Cup semifinal last weekend.
The final will be a special occasion for Hayden Tisdall.
The North Otago co-captain will be the starting leader — with co-captain Savenaca Rabaka sidelined with injury Cameron Rowland coming off the bench — at his home ground in Maheno.
He will be joined by Maheno team-mates Lachie Kingan and Ben McCarthy running out in the starting side.
The Old Golds have played their home games — which they have won four from five — at the Oamaru Showgrounds this season with Whitestone Contracting Stadium out of action due to the Waitaki Event Centre being built.
However, with showjumping being held at the Ettrick St ground this weekend, the Old Golds are heading down the road to Maheno and will host the final in the country.
Contractors and Maheno club members have been hard at work this week getting the grounds ready to host their first Heartland game since 2023.
North Otago have a good record at Maheno as well, having beat Thames Valley 34-33 in the dying minutes two years ago.
Kingan will drive the Old Golds around the park at first five, while McCarthy shifts back to his familiar spot on the left wing.
He filled the void in the midfield last week with Matia Qiolevu sidelined, but Qiolevu returns for the final to start at centre.
Coach Luke Herden, who said the group was "absolutely fizzing" for tomorrow’s game, has named his strongest line up available to meet Horowhenua.
Seva Druma — who scored the last-gasp try to beat Poverty Bay — starts on the other wing and the strong loose forward trio is Mitch Morton, Toni Taufa and Junior Fakatoufifita. Loan prop Abraham Lauaki also gets the nod at tight head.
North Otago did not met Horowhenua during the regular season, making for an intriguing final.
Horowhenua finished the regular season in eighth with four wins, four losses.
They had a crazy finish to their semifinal against Whanganui. The two were locked 18-18 at the end of extra time when Horowhenua lifted to another gear and ran away to win 40-18.
Mid Canterbury, who are unbeaten this season, host defending champions Thames Valley in the Meads Cup final today.
Lochore Cup final
Tomorrow, 2.05pm, Maheno
North Otago: Ben Paton, Seva Druma, Matia Qiolevu, Tini Feke, Ben McCarthy, Lachlan Kingan, Kippei Taninaka, Junior Fakatoufifita, Toni Taufa, Mitch Morton, Epineri Logavatu, Anthony Docherty, Abraham Lauaki, Hayden Tisdall, Kelepi Funaki. Reserves: Jake Greenslade, Lisivani Tuifua, Steve Salelea, Cameron Rowland, Robbie Lailvaux, Seru Cavuilati, Isaac Clunie, Mason James.
Horowhenua-Kapiti: Max Hosking, Darren Falaniko, Connor Paki, Emanuel Solomona, Joeli Rauca, Rory Woollett, Kahn Fotual’i, Albert Hemopo, Pene To’o, Brad Reilly, Mikaere Harvey, Dallas Wiki, Ted Northcott, Harry Press, George Jacobs. Reserves: Jeremy David, David McErlean, Stephen Burnell, Michael Laursen, Thomas Barnsley, Aaron Lahmert, Jayson Aquila, Willie Paia’aua.
