There could be some shadow boxing in Palmerston North tonight, though both teams still have plenty to play for.
Otago faces Manawatu in what is the final round of the Mitre 10 Cup.
Otago has already qualified for the playoffs and has also locked up at least a home semifinal next weekend.
It is tied on 30 points at the top of the Championship division of the Mitre 10 Cup with Wellington and knows if it can win, then the pressure will go on the men from the capital tomorrow night to also get a victory.
Wellington takes on Waikato in Wellington tomorrow night.Manawatu sits third on the ladder — well back on 22 points — and has not yet clinched a playoff berth.
It could miss out if it fails to get over the line tonight and those tucked in behind, North Harbour and Bay of Plenty, have wins.
But if Manawatu wins tonight it will mean Otago could take on the same team in a semifinal next weekend.
That brings something of a conundrum for the teams tonight — they may not want to reveal all for fear of having nothing left to surprise should the sides meet again next week.
Otago assistant coach Ben Herring said the prospect of playing Manawatu twice in a short time might be in the back of the minds but the side just had to go out and perform.
"We just want to put on a really good performance leading into the semifinals. Just bounce back from the last three games," Herring said.
"The guys are still feeling good. Still have that confidence. If we had played last week like we did against Auckland then we would have had a bit of a worry."
Auckland put 50 points over Otago, which was followed last week by a tough loss to Counties-Manukau, conceding a penalty in the final minute to go down.
Herring, the side’s defence coach, said he has been happy with the team’s defensive display this year — apart from the heavy loss to Auckland.
Defence was all about attitude and that was where Otago was doing well.
"Last week was the most disappointing but on the whole it has been outstanding . . . against Auckland we were not at 100% and they were at 200%.
"We have been trying to focus on getting our line speed up, working as a group and then individuals doing their own tackling."
If teams are tied on the same number of points on the competition ladder, the side which won the game in the regular season will be top. Otago beat Wellington so hold that advantage.
Otago will have to lift tonight as it is without key forwards Paul Grant and Tom Franklin.
Its lineout will come under pressure and Manawatu has some rugged forwards who will be abrasive at breakdown time.
Showers are forecast for Palmerston North tonight.
Otago v Manawatu
Palmerston North, today, 7.35pm
Otago: Michael Collins, Tony Ensor, Sio Tomkinson, Tei Walden, Matt Faddes, Scott Eade, Josh Walden, Naulia Dawai, Lee Allan, Adam Knight, Blair Tweed, Josh Dickson, Donald Brighouse, Sam Anderson-Heather (captain), Craig Millar. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli, Josh Hohneck, James Lentjes, Sione Teu, Jonathan Ruru, Fletcher Smith, Gavin Stark.
Manawatu: Ambrose Curtis, Ngani Laumape, Jason Emery, Hamish Northcott, Nathan Tudreu, Otere Black, Kayne Hammington, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Callum Gibbins (captain), Antonio Kirikiri, Tom Parsons, Jackson Hemopo, Jake Ilnicki, Travis Taylor, Tuki Raimona. Reserves: Hunter Prescott, Chris Eves, Mike Alaalatoa, Kane Thompson or Liam Hallam-Eames, Harrison Brewer, Jamie Booth, Aaron Cruden, Curtis Reid.
Referee: Glen Jackson