Excelsior v Athletic Marist
Oamaru, 1pm
Clashes this season: Athletic Marist 20-19, Excelsior 26-17, Excelsior 58-28.
Key Excelsior players: First five-eighth Jason Forrest is a master tactician and excellent goal kicker. Josh Bailey, Sam Sirell and Slade Thomas are fine finishers in the backline. Prop Joe Collins and loose forwards John Kelly, Matt Duff and Rory McMeekan never stop working.
Key Athletic Marist players: First five-eighth Ben Palmer has an ability to spark attacks, but a potentially dangerous backline must bring more accuracy to the game. Key lineout forward Ian Cooney is supported by Alex Hill and veteran lock Aisake Fonua.
The tip: Excelsior by 15 points.
Old Boys v Kurow
Oamaru, 3pm
Clashes this season: Old Boys 20-10, draw (match cancelled), Kurow 20-10.
Key Old Boys players: Experienced and pacy three-quarter Lemi Masoe is back on deck at the right time. Inoke Naufahu is a versatile back and prolific goal-kicker. Ralph Darling is a fine leader and outstanding support player, along with the barnstorming Sale Pi'i and Manu Taiti.
Key Kurow players: Player-coach Ben Nowell is an astute organiser and goal-kicker who takes the ball to the line superbly. Craig Robson, Sam Fleming and Dan Russell are proven finishers along with fullback Lewis Jones. Marshall Smith, Wallace Milne and Mike Patterson are rugged in the tight forward exchanges.
The tip: Old Boys by 20 points.
- Terry O'Neill
