The Otago-Southland derby really does tick a lot of boxes.
It is a rivalry which stretches back to 1887.
Southland probably take it more seriously.
The annual Donald Stuart Memorial Shield match has been dubbed "Stag Day" by the Southlanders and it is arguably the No1 fixture on their calendar.
It has been fuelled by one of the most powerful motivators in sport — the old chip on the shoulder.
Otago has a similar relationship with Canterbury.
But for many of the combatants involved this evening, their loyalties are mixed and perhaps even flexible.
Take Otago captain Sean Withy. He is a bona fide Southlander. Grew up there. Went to school there. Even captained Southland Boys’.
They are dubious credentials to possess when you live north of Clinton, but a badge of honour if you are further south.
Withy moved to Dunedin in 2019 and has played against Southland before. He is firmly in the Otago camp, even if part of his heart in still with Southland.
"It is not the first time I’ve played them," he said.
"I sat on the bench last year and copped a bit of [flak] from the terrace down in Invercargill . . . So it will be a bit nicer to be running out at Forsyth Barr this year.
"All my mates are still rooting for Southland, so it would be great to have bragging rights over them."
In some ways it is just another game, Withy said. But it is also a special rivalry.
South Otago brothers Matt and Josh Whaanga will line up against each other again. They played alongside each other for Taieri in the Dunedin premier grade this season.
They formed a formidable duo in the midfield.
But Matt plays for Southland and has been named to start at centre. His younger brother, Josh, is on the right wing for Otago.
You can run through both team sheets and find a long list of players who have migrated from one province to the other.
But if you set the rivalry aside for a second, the game is crucial in its own right.
Otago is in second to last with just one bonus point to show for three games. They desperately need a win to inject some life into their campaign.
Southland is one spot higher due to the two competition points they picked up for the draw with Northland. But they cannot afford a loss either.
Stags captain Josh Bekhuis made that point.
"It is the Donald Stuart Memorial and that means a lot to us," he said.
"But it is also a big game for us in terms of our season.
"The last few results have not gone our way and we are really focused on kick-starting the season by playing a solid game against a good Otago team."
Otago is down some talent. Cameron Millar aggravated an ankle complaint in the heartbreaking 33-32 loss to Hawke’s Bay in Napier last Sunday and is out for the season.
Back-up first five and fullback Sam Gilbert picked up a hamstring injury and is missing from the Otago side, as is lock Will Tucker, who has a tailbone injury.
Winger Jona Nareki has recovered from a muscle strain and will take his place on the left, while Ajay Faleafaga has been given the nod at first five and will be making his Otago debut.
Southland will be missing powerhouse No8 Dylan Nel, but experienced lock Mike McKee returns from injury.
NPC
Dunedin, 7.05pm today
Otago: Finn Hurley, Josh Whaanga, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jack Leslie, Jona Nareki, Ajay Faleafaga, James Arscott, Christian Lio-Willie, Sean Withy, Tom Sanders, Josh Dickson, Fabian Holland, Jermaine Ainsley, Henry Bell, Rohan Wingham. Reserves: Ricky Jackson, Abraham Pole, Saula Ma’u, Joshua Hill, Sam Fischli, Nathan Hastie, John Tapueluelu, Jeremiah Asi.
Southland: Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Viliami Fine, Matt Whaanga, Scott Gregory, Michael Manson, Dan Hollinshead, Jay Renton, Blair Ryall, Leroy Ferguson, Hayden Michaels, Josh Bekhuis (captain), Mike McKee, Morgan Mitchell, Jack Taylor, Joe Walsh. Reserves: Ben Strang, Jonah Aoina, Quinn Harrison-Jones, Shneil Singh, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Jahvis Wallace, Marty Banks, Tevita Latu.
