The Highlanders First XV competition reaches the semifinal stage tomorrow. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn takes a quick look.
Otago Boys' High School v King's High School
Where: Littlebourne.
When: Tomorrow, 1pm
Last meeting: Otago Boys' 35-7.
The oil: This is probably the understatement of the season but Otago Boys' goes into this contest as the favourite. It has not been beaten in this competition since 2011 and it would be a brave man to pick an upset tomorrow.
Otago Boys' has a rugged forward pack with the likes of hooker and captain Sekonaia Pole and prop Jermaine Ainsley. The midfield is solid, and last week's 76-0 win over Dunstan High School showed the backs are coming into some form.
Look for Otago Boys' to use its big forwards to dominate around the ruck and maul.
King's has done well to make the semifinals, as it has a young team and has lost players with injury. It gave as good as it got in the earlier clash between the Dunedin schools but was eventually outmuscled around the breakdown.
Lock Liam Trainor and second five-eighth Robert Peseta have been impressive performers for King's.
Southland Boys' High School v Dunstan High School
Where: Invercargill.
When: Tomorrow, 1pm.
Last meeting: Southland Boys' 46-12.
The oil: The home team has the inside running and will be especially hard to beat as it comes into some top form.
Southland Boys' has a couple of injury concerns, with hooker Sam Stewart and lock Dominic Collins unlikely to play. But it is peaking nicely and ran Otago Boys' mighty close in a 12-10 loss.
Much will rely on big No 8 Jordan Stewart. He can get the side over the advantage line and plays hard throughout the match.
Dunstan, the only co-educational school in the final four, has done well to make the semifinals. But injuries have hit hard and some back-ups have been called into the team from junior sides.
No 8 and captain Daniel Riley has broken his ankle and will be a big loss. Dunstan has also lost some players in the front row.
Coach Mick Enright said his side had no real stars but preached a team approach. The side beat Southland Boys' last year and knows it can do it again.
But the Alexandra boys are serious underdogs and need lots to go their way to stay in the game.
