After a loss last week, Otago will want to get back on the winning path tonight.
Standing square in its way is an Auckland team which is high on speed and strength, if low on consistency.
Otago also has some big men and some pace in the right places. That is the way of the world these days in professional rugby.
But grunt and brawn can only take one so far. What is needed the most is accuracy.
Attention to detail which was what was missing the most from the Otago effort against Canterbury last weekend.
There was far too much dropped ball, sloppiness from kick-offs and the missed tackle tally was well into double figures.
Playing against teams packed with Super rugby talent — and Auckland is exactly like Canterbury in that regard — any mistakes are feasted upon.
Otago can create chances — we have seen that — but must make sure its game is tidy and it does not cough up the ball in the wrong places.
Captain Paul Grant said the game last week, when Otago had its first loss of the season 45-34, was a real wake-up call.
"They scored a few nice tries but we just made too many mistakes. We are definitely looking to improve on last week’s performance," he said.
"You can’t let a team like Canterbury have 25-odd points in the first half. So we have to start well and cutting out the errors we made that they capitalised on.
"They [Auckland] have got good individual players so we are mixing up our game a wee bit to try and catch them out. But we know we have to front up as well in the contact area."
The contact area is becoming a mess, with players not knowing where to stand and defending players looking to fly-kick the ball away.
Grant said the referee’s reading of the breakdown held plenty of sway.
"A lot seems to be left up to referees’ interpretations around the kicking of the ball at the ruck rather than "this is the clear-cut rule".
"When you step on to the field you never really know what is going to happen and I suppose that is sport but you just have to play the ref and play as well as you can."
The breakdown will be vital tonight and Auckland has some big bodies that will have to be moved.
The weather is expected to be wet and the men up front will have an important role to play.
The Otago set piece will miss hooker Sam Anderson-Heather, out with yet another concussion to hit the Otago side this season, and new hooker Sekonaia Pole will have to put his hand up.
Otago welcome back lock Tom Franklin and fullback Michael Collins and both are key players for the side.
Franklin’s skills and lineout prowess is a real asset to Otago and his leadership in the front five will be needed tonight.
Collins calmness under pressure and solid defence will get an examination tonight from the likes of Rieko Ioane and Melani Nanai.
The match is for the Lin Colling Memorial Trophy, which is held by Auckland.
Otago v Auckland
Auckland, today, 7.35pm
Otago: Michael Collins, Mitchell Scott, Matt Faddes, Tei Walden, Fa’asiu Fuata’i, Fletcher Smith, Jonathan Ruru, Paul Grant (captain), James Lentjes, Lee Allan, Tom Franklin, Josh Dickson, Donald Brighouse, Sekonaia Pole, Craig Millar. Reserves: Nick Grogan, Jonah Aiona, Mike Mata’afa, Blair Tweed, Naulia Dawai, Josh Walden, Scott Eade, Sio Tomkinson.
Auckland: Melani Nanai, Lolagi Visinia, Rieko Ioane, Vince Aso, Pryor Collier, Simon Hickey (captain), Jono Hickey, Steve Luatua, Akira Ioane, Taleni Seu, Liaki Moli, Scott Scrafton, Marcel Renata, Kurt Eklund, Sam Prattley. Reserves: Blake Hill, Tom McHugh, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Ben Nee Nee, Josh Kaifa, Leon Fukofuka, Liam Steel, Latiume Fosita.
Referee: Brendon Pickerill