The Otago premier schools competition will reach its climax when the season's two top teams go head to head for the ODT Cup this afternoon.
John McGlashan College and South Otago High School split their two matches during the season, the sole loss for either side in the 10-team competition.
South Otago won the first match in Balclutha 24-20, before McGlashan dished out a 49-5 hammering in the return clash.
That ended South Otago's unbeaten run, but coach Adam Whaanga said today's final was his first opportunity to field a full-strength team.
''We've certainly got no excuses - we've got our full muster,'' he said.
''The last time we played them, we had a few cattle out, so hopefully that will be enough to give us the edge. I know John McGlashan was pretty excited about the last win, but it is 1-1, and that's the way we are looking at it.''
Snow above 100m, rain and a cold southwesterly is forecast for Dunedin today, meaning conditions are not likely to favour attacking rugby.
However, Whaanga said his team will still look to play its usual game against a ''well structured'' McGlashan team.
''We try and play an expansive game,'' he said.
''We have got a some good strike power out wide. Even though we got badly beaten by them last time, our set piece was pretty strong.
''We've tweaked a few things that we learned from the last time. But after their recent results, they certainly go into it as favourites , I would have thought.''
John McGlashan was only confirmed as the host for today's match when co-captain Josh Timu scored a late bonus point try against the Otago Boys' Second XV last week.
McGlashan team director Mike Idour said Carlos Reid (shoulder) was the only player unavailable for selection.
With bad weather forecast, Idour thinks his team's win last week in muddy conditions at Littlebourne would be of benefit.
''Depending on conditions, that will probably have some measure of impact. It certainly won't be as muddy as Littlebourne. I feel reasonably confident our guys can handle that,'' Idour said.
''We're pretty even. We've set the pace in the competition - both teams have done that at different times. It will be the team that wants it most at the end of the day.''
Idour said hosting the game was a ''huge advantage'' and McGlashan needed to be as committed defensively as it had been all season to win today.
Both Idour and Whaanga said they had enjoyed the first season of the new-look Otago premier schools competition, which does not include two heavyweights.
The Otago Boys' High School First XV and Southland Boys' High School both opted to play in the Dunedin premier colts grade in pursuit of stiffer competition.
''It's been a great competition,'' Whaanga said.
Otago schools final
John McGlashan, today, 1pm.
John McGlashan: Henry Sullivan, Sam Darling, Josh Timu (co-captain), Reece Stackhouse, Luke Jarvie, Daine Lowery, George Russell, Liam Geddes, Rory Ferguson (co-captain), Brett Kingsbury, Woody Kirkwood, Sam Moir-Grace, Reon Lowery, Liam Hickman, Arthur Burdon. Reserves: Morgan Jones, Jake Kirkness, Oscar Engelbrecht, Henry Bell, Ethan Jane, Hunter Cleland, Jimmy Sinclair.
South Otago: Rory van Vugt, Oscar Goodlet, Matt Whaanga, Hemi Remi, Zak Thoms, Chase Owen, Nic Shaw (captain), Sam Fischli, Dylan Greer, Scott Lawrence, Timothy Fa'amoe, Josh Hill, Logan Morrell, Brady Robertson, Tyler Hammer. Reserves: Reeve Murdoch, Cameron Williams, Todd Nicolson, Delaney McKenzie, Levi Robertson, Luc Thompson, Tyrone Goodlet.
