It feels good to be back.
North Otago are again playing finals footy after missing out last season for the first time since 1999.
Luke Herden and co have done a great job turning the team around and securing a home Lochore Cup semifinal match against Poverty Bay today.
The Old Golds play fast and exciting rugby but have also shown toughness and resilience to close out tight games.
However, the wind was somewhat taken out of their sails last weekend as they were thumped 47-7 by Mid Canterbury.
That extinguished any hope of contending for the Meads Cup, and the team will have to pick themselves up quickly to avoid letting a promising season fizzle out.
Herden said players were confident they could rectify last week’s performance.
"We’ve taken confidence from the whole season...
"Last week was a wee hiccup and we flushed that and we focus on Poverty Bay.
"The boys are excited to get back where we think we deserve to be and that’s playing finals football."
They will not be taking a backwards step against Poverty Bay.
"Our DNA is to play with energy and to shift the ball but we’re also quite keen to take them on up front and assert dominance in that area."
Herden has had to rejig his forward pack, with co-captain Savenaca Rabaka ruled out with injury.
"Save’s been a big part of our team, a great leader, but he’ll be there contributing off the field."
Toni Taufa shifts into the No 7 jersey left vacant by Rabaka and Mitch Morton moves to blindside flanker, while Anthony Docherty has been elevated from the bench to start at lock.
Dunedin prop Steve Salelea also comes into the starting lineup, replacing fellow loan player Abraham Lauaki who will start from the pine.
With an extra front rower selected, Jake Greenslade will provide cover at hooker and Cameron Rowland swaps his No 16 jersey for No 19 and will cover the loose forwards.
He is joined on the bench by fellow Valley man Robbie Lailvaux, who is in line for his Heartland debut.
In the backline, Mason James, who made is debut last weekend, will start on the left wing with Posiano Kamoto moving to the bench.
In the other Lochore Cup semifinal, Whanganui host Horowhenua-Kapiti and in the Meads Cup, Mid Canterbury are at home to Wairarapa Bush, while South Canterbury take on defending champions Thames Valley.
Heartland Championship
Oamaru, 2.30pm
North Otago: Ben Paton, Seva Druma, Ben McCarthy, Tini Feke, Mason James, Lachlan Kingan, Kippei Taninaka, Junior Fakatoufifita, Toni Taufa, Mitch Morton, Anthony Docherty, Epineri Logavatu, Steve Salelea, Hayden Tisdall, Kelepi Funaki. Reserves: Jake Greenslade, Abraham Lauaki, Lisivani Tuifua, Cameron Rowland, Robbie Lailvaux, Seru Cavuilati, Isaac Clunie, Posiano Kamoto.
Poverty Bay: Nic Proffit, Bosca Tikicidre, Cohen Loffler, Braedyn Grant, Kyoni Te Amo, Tayler Adams, Henry Saker, Niko Lauti, Lennox Shanks, Antonio Marewai, Leka Palusa, Harawira Kahukura, Iose Brown, Ngahiwi Manuel, Toma Laumalili. Reserves: Saigon Carmichael, Sam Hudson, Lance Dickson, Ryan Jones, James Grogan, Silas Brown, Fatty Karauria, Matt Proffit.
