North Otago has everything to play for today.
They desperately need to beat King Country in Te Kuiti to keep their chances of making the Lochore Cup playoffs alive.
They also need some other results to go their way, but first things first, they need the win.
The Old Golds have recorded just one win from their six games, and sit 10th this season. Frustratingly they have not been able to close games out.
They had ample chances at home against Mid Canterbury last week to grab the win, but eventually lost 28-21.
King Country sit fifth on the ladder, with a record of three wins and three losses.
They thumped Poverty Bay, who are yet to notch up a win this season, 49-15 last week, and West Coast 43-17 the week before.
Old Golds head coach Jason Forrest has tweaked with the forward pack.
Usual No 8 Kasimila Vaihu has moved into the tight five and joins Anthony Docherty at lock.
That shifts Fergus Read out to blindside, Savenaca Rabaka swings back into No 8 and co-captain Mat Duff gets the start at openside.
Australian Max Sawers gets the nod at loosehead and Jake Greenslade will come off the bench.
Conor Lawson, who plays for West Taieri, and Excelsior lock Apenisa Tuiba also are on the bench.
There are changes in the backline as well.
Excelsior winger Jamie Mullan gets the start on the left wing, Hayden Todd moves to the right wing and Chihiro Matsuyama is at second five.
Heartland Championship
Te Kuiti, 2.30pm
North Otago: Ben McCarthy, Hayden Todd, Matia Qiolevu, Chihiro Matsuyama, Jamie Mullan, Greg Dyer, Jake Matthews, Savenaca Rabaka, Mat Duff, Fergus Read, Kasimila Vaihu, Anthony Docherty, Bradley Harewood, Ryusei Kato, Max Sawers. Reserves: Cameron Rowland, Mateo Qolisese, Jake Greenslade, Apenisa Tuiba, Conor Lawson, Mavaetangi Finau, Sam Walsh, Isaac Clunie.
King Country: Latrell Smiler-Ah-Kiong, Patrick Hedley, Baven Brown, Josevata Malimole, Zach Wickham-Darlington, Kieron Rollison, Kristian Gent-Standen, Karney Dunster, Leveson Gower, Maximus Dunster, Cruise Dunster, Eli Winders, Carey Peina, Liam Rowlands, Toby Tukaki. Reserves: Sam Robinson, Tom Ryan, Charlie Henare, Kaleb Foote, Dion Peterson, Hiwawa Kahu, Logan Patterson, Apete Matai.
