North Otago and Wanganui are the only teams assured of a place in the Meads Cup playoffs going into the final round of qualifying.
North Otago has a one-point lead over Wanganui, which should earn a maximum five points against Wairarapa-Bush in Wanganui this afternoon.
This places real pressure on North Otago to beat Mid Canterbury in Oamaru and pick up a four-try bonus point if it is to remain at the top of the competition.
A real battle is going on for the other two places in the Meads Cup. Mid Canterbury (25) only needs to beat North Otago or draw to guarantee a place, while Buller (22), which plays West Coast, East Coast (22), which is away to Horowhenua-Kapiti, and Thames Valley (21), which is at home to South Canterbury, are all vying for the two final places.
North Otago coaches Barry Matthews and Shane Carter have rung the changes for this afternoon's game, some because of injury and some because of form.
Regular tighthead prop Palenapa Mafi is out with a head injury and will be replaced by Rob Mafile'o, if he passes a fitness test on his injured ankle this morning, or former lock Aisake Fonua.
Regular hooker Will Hurst is suffering from a shoulder injury and has been replaced by Kurow's Michael Paterson, while openside flanker Willie Tahitua has dropped to the bench and been replaced by Carn Parata.
Matthews is confident Parata will perform.
"Carn came on for the last half-hour against Horowhenua-Kapiti and he tackled very well. He goes in low and we feel that this will be effective against the Mid Canterbury forwards.
"Our tackling in the forwards has been too high this season and Carn could make an impact. He brings a lot of energy into the game and is a real terrier."
First five Ben Patston, who has kicked 64 points for North Otago this season, has been dropped to the reserves.
"Ben's been carrying a leg injury for the bulk of the season and we're giving him a week off to recuperate and think about his game."
Hamish McKenzie takes Patston's place, with halfback Jason Forrest assuming the kicking duties.
An inability to profit from opportunities has been North Otago's big bugbear this season and it is hoped speedsters Lemi Masoe and Whiria Meltzer will get a chance to show their pace.
A confident Mid Canterbury, chasing its fifth win in a row after losing two of its first three matches, is the the only team to have beaten Wanganui this season.
There will be an added incentive in the game with the Hanan Shield, which North Otago took from South Canterbury last Saturday, at stake.
North Otago v Mid Canty
- Oamaru, today, 1.30pm
• North Otago: Billy Guyton, Whiria Meltzer, Faaitu Tuamoheloa, Luke Herden, Lemi Masoe, Hamish McKenzie, Jason Forrest, Tevita Fifita, Carn Parata, Manu Taiti, Taua Limuloa, Eric Duff, Rob Mafile'o or Aisake Fonua, Michael Paterson, Ralph Darling (captain).
Reserves: Fonua or Jason Townsend, Dylan Winter, Josh Collier, Willie Tahitua, Ben Patston, Rowan McKenzie, Chris Talanoa.
• Mid Canterbury: Stephan Van Gruting, Emori Lodoviko, Nick Wilson, Manase Nonu, Ben Kitching, Richie Catherwood, Mac Sykes, Peter McAndrew, Nick McKain, Mitch Simm, Vesi Luatua, Andrew Smith, Jason Rickard (captain), Tauataina Samisoni, Ron Manu.
Reserves: Aaron Chudleigh, James Kora, Jon Dampney, Joel Hewson, Siaola Fifita, Dwayne Burrows, Faaleapu Faalavaau.
- Terry O'Neill
