North Otago's hopes of retaining No 1 position in Heartland rugby will almost certainly rely on the performance of its forward pack when it meets South Canterbury in Timaru this afternoon.
If North Otago has an Achilles heel, it lies up front, where the pack's inability to provide front-foot ball for its backline has severely limited the attacking ability of the rearguard.
Tighthead prop Rob Mafile'o suffered a sprained ankle against Buller last week and he was bracketed with Palenapa Mafi, but Mafile'o failed to pass a fitness test on Thursday evening. Mafi takes the tighthead position and Aisake Fonua comes on to the bench as a backup prop.
The inability of the North Otago eight to control its own ball has seen the attacking potential of big No 8 Tevita Fifita nullified as too often he has been committed to clearing untidy ball as the scrum retreats.
North Otago's strength lies in the lineout, where Taua Limuloa, Eric Duff and Willie Tahitua are regular ball winners.
But there must be concern in the camp over the form of first five-eighth Ben Patston, who is struggling to regain his top form.
Patston is carrying an ankle injury, which appears to have affected his confidence as well as his goal kicking and general play.
But given adequate ball, the North Otago backline has proved to be a match winner, with the big midfield of Luke Herden and Faaitu Tuamoheloa certain to test the South Canterbury midfield defence.
The back three of Billy Guyton, Whiria Meltzer and Lemi Masoe also has vision and oodles of pace.
There will be an added incentive for both sides with the Hanan Shield at stake.
South Canterbury made a slow start to the season, losing to Horowhenua-Kapiti and Wanganui before winning its next three games, against King Country, Poverty Bay and West Coast.
The green and blacks were then outmuscled in the second half by Mid Canterbury, losing 34-22.
North Otago (27 points) leads the Heartland Championship, two points in front of Wanganui, and must pick up at least nine points from its last two games to retain top spot going into the playoffs.
But a win is also essential for South Canterbury (16) if it wishes to push for a place in the Meads Cup, as it trails Mid Canterbury (21), Buller (21) and Thames Valley (17) going into round seven.
In other games, West Coast hosts Wanganui, Mid Canterbury is at home to Buller, King Country meets Thames Valley in Te Kuiti, East Coast plays Poverty Bay in Ruatoria, and Wairarapa-Bush is at home to Horowhenua-Kapiti.
North Otago v South Canterbury
- Timaru, today, 2.30pm
• North Otago: Billy Guyton, Whiria Metlzer, Faaitu Tuamoheloa, Luke Herden, Lemi Masoe, Ben Patston, Hamish McKenzie, Tevita Fifita, Willie Tahitua, Josh Collier, Taua Limuloa, Eric Duff, Palenapa Mafi, Will Hurst, Ralph Darling.
- Reserves: Jamie Townsend, Aisake Fonua, Manu Taiti, Dylan Winter, Jason Forrest, Rowan McKenzie, Chris Talanoa.
• South Canterbury: Jarred Trevathan, Tevita Latu, Jarred Matthews, Sam Beard, Sekope Maea, Scott Norton, Nick Annear, Kali Latu, Eric Smith, Nick Strachan, Andrew Scarlett, Shannon McRae, Timaru Tafa, Fo'oi Saena, Matt Fetu.
- Reserves: Vai Saivieti, Junior Sala, Tevita Taufa, Blair Morris, Tanu Sauvine, Kurt Rooney, Miles Meddlicott.
- Terry O'Neill
