Upper Clutha have incredibly not suffered two losses in succession in the 80 games they have played since 2017.
But coming off a shock loss to Alexandra at home last week, their handsome record is under serious threat against the opponents who lifted the trophy from them last season.
Coach Alex Dickson concedes this, claiming his team are the underdogs after the loss to Alex.
"We’ve been struggling all season, particularly in the front row," Dickson said.
"Fortunately we have a few hardy campaigners returning this week, notably Andy Horne, Fergus Smith and Ben McKeich."
Upper Clutha and Wakatipu have fought some epic contests in recent seasons, Upper Clutha winning the title in 2024 after Wakatipu triumphed in 2022.
At stake tomorrow is the Vincent Shield for the first-round winner and the Speight’s Jug, held by Wakatipu.
Wakatipu coach Jordan Manihera acknowledged the game was a "massive occasion" with "a lot on the line".
He was delighted that virtually every member of his squad was available which, he conceded, was going to make for a selection nightmare.
Of course, if Wakatipu and Upper Clutha, who sit on 22 and 21 points respectively, were to draw, that would open the gate for Alexandra, who are just a point further back on 20. And they take on bottom-placed Matakanui Combined at home.
The remaining game pits Maniototo against Arrowtown at Ranfurly. It is a contest Arrowtown can ill-afford to lose. They sit in sixth place, one point behind Cromwell, who have the bye, but seven points in arrears of Maniototo.
Another loss here would pretty much put them out of playoff reckoning.
Arrowtown have been competitive in all their games but since destroying Matakanui Combined in the season’s opener have not put an 80-minute performance together.
