North Otago will play its 11th Ranfurly Shield challenge when it lines up against a depleted Canterbury side at Rugby Park in Christchurch this afternoon.
North Otago goes into the game with only one warm-up game, its 78-9 loss to Otago last weekend.
But hope springs eternal. In the 1940s, North Otago challenged Southland (lost 15-3) and Otago (42-3). There was a drought of challenges in the 1950s and 1960s but, in the early 1970s, North Otago played three challenges in four years: Canterbury (16-0), Marlborough (26-9) and South Canterbury (9-3).
Auckland came and conquered (139-5) in 1993. Since the turn of the century, North Otago has played four challenges: against Waikato (95-17), Canterbury (85-24), Auckland (113-3) and Southland (48-3).
North Otago coach Barry Matthews appreciates a week in rugby is a very short time to turn a side around.
"We've done a lot of work at the breakdown and it's been emphasised that we've got to be a lot more physical at this phase of play," he said.
"Our body positions have got to be lower and we've got to take up our space. We've just got to make sure that the things we got wrong last week, we fix, and make sure we try to play out the full 80 minutes.
"I thought that for 50 minutes of the game against Otago we actually played quite well or defended quite well. It would be good if we got a bit more ball but really we've just got to be stronger on defence."
North Otago's lack of conditioning was exposed against Otago, for although the side defended well for 40 to 50 minutes of the game the fitness was just not there to compete for a full game.
Matthews and Shane Carter have made six changes to the side which started against Otago. In the backs, Hamish McKenzie comes in at halfback for the injured Kilifi Fangupo and University A's David Thompson comes in on the right wing.
In the forwards, former North Otago regular Dave Simpson, who has been playing his club rugby for Kaikorai, is on the openside flank.
Leiataua Limuloa, who came on against Otago, will start at No 6, giving added lineout options.
Lock Dylan Winter, who was outstanding against Otago, will again partner Eric Duff.
In the front row, Palenapa Mafi will start at tighthead prop, while Old Boys hooker Harry Fry replaces Sam Sturgess, who played against Otago as North Otago's player of origin but was found to have been ineligible.
Ralph Darling will play his 25th game for North Otago at loosehead.
Ranfurly Shield Challenge
Rugby Park, Christchurch, today, 2.30pm (Live on Sky Sport 1)
North Otago: Billy Guyton, David Thompson, Faaitu Tuamoheloa, Karaitiana Vette-Welsh, Lemi Masoe, Ben Patston, Hamish McKenzie, Josh Collier, Dave Simpson, Leiataua Limuloa, Dylan Winter, Eric Duff, Palenapa Mafi, Harry Fry, Ralph Darling.
Reserves: Rob Mafileo, Dan Groundwater, Carn Parata, Manulua Taiti, Jason Forrest, Warwick Nel, Christoph Bart, Chris Talanoa.
Canterbury: Johnny McNicholl, Telusa Veainu, Robbie Flynn, Tom Taylor, Patrick Osbourne, Colin Slade, Willi Heinz, Nasi Manu, Brendon O'Connor, Ash Parker (captain), Joel Everson, Luke Katene, Paea Fa'anunu, Paul Ngauamo, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Ben Funnell, Sam Cottam, Mark Abbott, Bernie Hall, Mark Swanepoel, Kolio Hifo.
- Terry O'Neill
