Otago Boys' High School First XV will take a break from wading ankle deep in the mud at Littlebourne and has promised an expansive game plan for the Highlanders final in Invercargill today.
The team leaned on its powerful forward pack to set up a comprehensive 44-12 win against its rival from King's High School in the semifinal at Littlebourne last weekend.
The surface was in a dreadful state and Otago Boys' employed a game plan to suit the conditions.
But today's final against Southland Boys' High School First XV will be played at the sand-based Les George Oval.
It will be much less spongy underfoot and that will please the Otago Boys' backline.
The team has a reputation for robust forward play but coach Ryan Martin said there was star power in the midfield and out wide as well.
``We actually play some of our best rugby on hard and fast surfaces and we believe that will suit us, to be honest,'' Martin said.
``Playing on Littlebourne is actually hard work, so when we do get the opportunity to play on a [firm] surface the boys really enjoy it.
``We will definitely look to play with more width this week and that is the beauty of this team. We can adapt depending on the ground and we have the ability to do whatever we need to do.
``We actually do have some really good backs out there, especially Burns Mills who is a real attacking threat with ball in hand.''
Otago Boys' trained at Hancock Park on Tuesday, to mimic the conditions which will greet them in Invercargill.
The team travelled through to Invercargill yesterday and stopped in Balclutha for a captain's run.
Southland Boys' coach Jason Dermody said his side was not as big as Otago Boys' and would have to find ways to play smarter.
``Our skills and attention to detail will have to be better than theirs,'' he said.
``Otago Boys' are pretty strong from No 1 to No 23 and I don't see many weaknesses in their set-up.''
The teams played in May, when Southland Boys secured a 13-12 win in Invercargill. Otago Boys' was missing three key players from that match, though.
In the co-ed Highlanders final, Dunstan High School First XV will travel to Gore to play St Peter's College First XV.
Dunstan drew on players from outside the school during the Otago Premier School competition but does not have that luxury for today's match, which gets under way at noon.
It will be missing five regular starters but coach Garry Marsh said the players who have come in have added value and its 43-14 semifinal win against St Kevin's College, in Alexandra last weekend, was a confidence booster.
Highlanders final
Les George Oval, Invercargill, today, 1pm
Otago Boys’ High School First XV: Layne Opetaia, Max Brown, Midge van Boxtel (captain), Burns Mills, Fausia Loulanting, Tevita Asi, James Arscott, Sam Jones, Taine Te Whata, Joseph Aldrich-Williams, Anton Schroder, Sean Jansen, Mitchell Mahoni Rae, Jayden Henderson, Abraham Pole. Reserves: Tevita Pole, Jake Fowler, Taylor Dale, Jesse Vaafusuaga, Jordan Hand, Isaak Te Hiwi, Joseph Siale.
Southland Boys’ High School First XV: Ben Pope, Dom Sipa, Josh Mason, Tom Doyle-Franklin, Elliot Warrender, Kaleb Talamahina, Tim Price, Curtis Williams (captain), Sean Withy, Hayden Smith, Ben Paulin, Tom Capil, Niko Maenena, Jacob Payne, Oliver Lee. Reserves: Adam Webster, Riki Kawa-Gage, Ken Singleton, Aleki Saili, Ethan Yeo, Josh Cavanagh, Ryan Taylor, Brad Kooman.
