Dunedin's major annual First XV clash will break new ground today.
Crosstown rivals Otago Boys' High School and King's High School will meet in the first major interschool game to be played at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
This encounter and the First basketball clash are the only two interschool fixtures that will go ahead today, all others having been postponed due to weather.
The DCC reports that all council sports grounds are closed today.
The chance to use covered stadium is being relished by the opposing coaches.
''Being there on a dry pitch means that we can play positive rugby," Otago Boys' coach Ryan Martin said.
"It could be the one and only time the boys have a chance to play in the stadium. That's what makes it really special."
The King's team is also looking forward to the game.
"They are privileged to be the first schoolboy teams to play in the stadium," King's manager Vicki Jopson said.
"It's fantastic that the organising body has allowed us to play there to showcase the young talent in Otago."
Otago Boys' is having an excellent season and is unbeaten in the Highlanders First XV competition. It thumped Southland Boys' by 52 points, and the Invercargill school beat King's by the same margin.
But while his school will be a warm favourite today, Martin understands the history of the clash and is not complacent.
"It is the biggest game of the whole year for King's," Martin said.
"It will be a very tough game. We found in the last two years that they have lifted themselves for the game."
Jopson expects her team to play its best game of the season today.
"It's the pride our boys have in the lion that they wear on the chest of their jersey," she said.
Midfield back Aleki Morris has scored 27 tries during the Fulton Hogan-sponsored Highlanders First XV competition this year.
Two other Otago Boys' players have reached 100 points. First five-eighth Sam Ellis is on 100 and Ben Miller has been productive off the bench and has scored 116 points.
A key player in the pack is towering lock Josh Dickson.
Other key forwards are rugged No 8 Alex Fitzgerald and aggressive hooker Sekonaia Pole.
King's has a possible match-winner in first five Mackenzie Haugh, who has scored 113 points this season and will be the fastest player on the paddock today.
Robert Peseta is a hard-running centre, and wingers Aranui Crofts and Dan Dam know how to score tries.
Today's game will be the 74th between the two schools. Otago Boys' has 46 wins and King's 23.
Four games have been drawn.
King's v Otago Boys' First XV clash
Today at Forsyth Barr Stadium, 1.15pm
King's High School: Matt Day, Aranui Crofts, Robert Peseta, David van der Byl, Dan Dam, Mackenzie Haugh, Kereama Joseph TeHuki, David Taua, Ben Johnson, Sam Keane, Logan Garforth, Ben Williams, Marcus Matapo, Joe Cairns-Thomson, Ben McKinlay. Reserves: Sidney Fidow, Himiona Wilson, Kayne Broderick, Liam Trainor, Joel Meade, Josh McCombie, Bruce Elisara.
Otago Boys' High School: Sean Conner, Josh Casey, Sio Tomkinson, Aleki Morris, Eti Slater, Sam Ellis, Matt Ellis, Alex Fitzgerald, Riley McDowall, Troy Callander, Shay Kerry, Josh Dickson, Jermaine Ainsley, Sekonaia Pole, Ryan Williams. Reserves: Ben Hendry, Will Holdom, Brendan Murdoch, Josh Dawson, Ben Miller, Corey Miller, Lisala Halaleva.
North Stand open. Gold coin entry.
