Life is a series of lessons.
Hopefully Otago has learnt one from last Saturday night and uses the knowledge to maximum effect, but it will be tough for the home team when it takes on Auckland at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.
Otago was outmuscled and outgunned by Wellington last Saturday, being bullied by the boys from the capital in the opening half hour of the game.
The home side cannot afford a repeat of that against Auckland, which has not backed down to any side this season.
Otago coach Tony Brown said it was vital his side started well and matched Auckland early.
"We have to learn from last week and have to be physical early on. We have to be up for that because it is going to be a physical contest. That is the way the game is going," Brown said.
Auckland brings a big solid forward pack to the game and will be expected to stand tough at the breakdown.
Otago must not only front up to Auckland but make its tackles to stop Auckland getting a roll-on.
Brown had the luxury of holding a proper training earlier this week as the side endures a hectic end to its season before entering the playoffs.
He has made some changes to his forward pack from the eight which struggled to match the Wellington big men.
In the front row, Liam Coltman moves to tighthead prop, while Sam Anderson-Heather comes into hooker.
In the middle row, Justin Ives makes his second start of the season, with Rob Verbakel moving to the bench.
TJ Ioane starts on the blindside flank, with Lee Allan back on the openside and Gareth Evans continuing at No 8.
Prop Tama Tuirirangi has still not overcome a knee injury, and Brown is hopeful he will be right for the semifinal on October 20.
Prop Jacob Ellison made his debut for Otago last week, coming on in the second half, but there were lingering doubts about his back, which had troubled him all season, and he is not available tonight.
Brown has again gone with five forwards on the bench, with attrition bound to be high in that department. Brad Weber is not among the reserves, so Fumaki Tanaka will have to play the whole game.
Otago does not have a great record against Auckland in Dunedin. Its last win was in 2003, and that was an ugly 6-3 victory.
The side notched a memorable victory over Auckland at Eden Park last year, its first win at the park for 35 years, but Brown said that would have little effect on tonight's match.
The side though was keen to retain the Lin Colling Memorial Trophy, which had spent little time in Otago's hands.
Otago has qualified for the semifinals and where it plays is in its own hands.
Basically, if it wins tonight it will host a semifinal against Tasman.
"It is in our hands to get a home semifinal. We can't control what happens outside of our game. We need to play as well as we can and get a result."
Brown said the play of Coltman, who was named in the Highlanders yesterday, had been a huge plus for the team.
The ability of the Alhambra-Union man to play both hooker and prop was a real help.
"He has been awesome for us this year with his ability to play both roles and play them so well. We have lost three props so he has really been a help for us."
Coltman will need to continue his purple patch of form tonight and Otago as a whole has to be committed in the tackle and at the breakdown. It has the backs to match any team but they cannot do much if they do not get quality ball.
Auckland also has plenty to play for tonight as a victory would put it in the box seat for a home semifin
Otago v Auckland
Forsyth Barr Stadium, tonight, 7.35pm
Referee: Richard Kelly (Taranaki).
TAB odds: Auckland $1.33, Otago $3.10.
Otago: Tony Ensor, Marshall Suckling, Jayden Spence, Glenn Dickson (captain), Buxton Popoali'i, Hayden Parker, Fumiaki Tanaka, Gareth Evans, Lee Allan, TJ Ioane, Justin Ives, Tom Franklin, Liam Coltman, Sam Anderson-Heather, Aki Seiuli. Reserves: Shota Horie, Hisa Sasagi, Rob Verbakel, Adam Hill, Peter Breen, Michael Collins, Hugh Blake.
Auckland: Charles Piutau, Ben Lam, Malakai Fekitoa, Hadleigh Parkes (captain), Dave Thomas, Gareth Anscombe, Alby Mathewson, Nathan Hughes, Daniel Braid, Steven Luatua, Ali Williams, Andrew Van der Heijden, Angus Ta'avao, Tom McCartney, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Nathan Vella, Siosiua Halonukonuka, Liaki Moli, Sean Polwart, Scott Paterson, Simon Hickey, Joe Edwards.
