The grass is green, the sausages have been ordered, and now all that's needed are two teams to complete the biggest day for rugby in South Otago.
The Highlanders and Blues are rolling into Balclutha on Saturday for the first pre-season game of the season, and the opening game of the 2011 New Zealand rugby calender.
These are the first professional teams to play in the town and organisers have been busy preparing for the event.
Nikki Cunningham, who is one of the organisers, said plenty of people had indicated they would be attending the game at the Showgrounds..
"We could get anything from 500 to 5000.
But there has been plenty of positive talk around the town and it will be good for people to see these calibre of teams and not have to travel out of town," she said.
A rippa rugby tournament involving 150 South Otago primary school children will be held on Saturday morning, with the final taking place just before the main game starts at 12.30pm.
There would be a bouncy castle for children, and barbecues, and it was hoped players would sign autographs after the match.
Usually the ground is rock-hard at the end of January but rain over the past month and additional watering has ensured the pitch is in perfect condition.
Representatives from the Highlanders and the Blues have inspected the pitch in past weeks and given the surface the thumbs up.
Though no pre-season Super rugby has been played in Balclutha, Otago played a Southland XV in a warm-up match last year.
Entry to the ground will be $2, or $8 for a stand seat.
Tickets can be bought at the Balclutha Information Centre.
Money raised will go towards the new $5 million Clutha Recreation Centre.
The game is being played at the earlier time so the Blues can fly down from Auckland on Saturday morning and return that night.
The Highlanders have two more pre-season matches, against the Chiefs in Taupo, on February 5, and the Crusaders, in Oamaru, on February 11.
