The business end of the season has arrived for Otago Boys' High School as it faces Marlborough Boys' College in the South Island First XV final tomorrow.
The match, at Forsyth Barr Stadium, will decide which South Island team goes through to the top four, to be played in Rotorua next weekend.
Otago Boys', which went all the way to the final last year, knows it will be in for a tough game against Marlborough Boys'.
Otago Boys' coach Ryan Martin said he hoped for a better start this week and the hard work done to prepare for the season might help his team.
''Last week, against Southland I thought conditioning was the big difference. But the main thing for us this week is to be patient.
''We need to stay composed and wear teams down,'' Martin said.
Although he had not seen a lot of Marlborough Boys', he said the school had a couple of big ball-runners, who would need to be knocked over.
Otago Boys' would look to captain Sekonaia Pole, fellow front-rower Jermaine Ainsley and second five-eighth Sio Tomkinson to lead the team.
Martin said this year's side was setting its own legacy, and he was proud it had made it all the way to the South Island final.
''We are just building our confidence over the past few weeks.
''We had to live off the reputation of last year's team but this team is now starting to build its own legacy.''
Otago Boys' had come home late to beat Southland Boys' in the Fulton Hogan-sponsored Highlanders First XV final, and Martin said that was a result of the side's good fitness levels. He wanted to make a better start this week, and get on the front foot.
The side had trained at the Edgar Centre this week, as Martin said it simulated conditions at Forsyth Barr Stadium, with the sound footing and wide field.
Marlborough Boys' is entering uncharted territory. It won the Press Cup for the first time earlier this month, beating Nelson College.
The side had to raise $25,000 for the cost of the trip. It is travelling to Dunedin by bus, as it was too expensive to fly south. The team will stay in Oamaru tonight.
Coach Gray Cornelius said Marlborough Boys' had done well to make it this far, and the side had been building for a couple of years.
Tomorrow's winner will play the winner of the Blues region in Rotorua next Saturday. It is likely to be defending national champion St Kentigern College, of Auckland.
In Ashburton today, Dunstan High School plays Ashburton College in the South Island co-ed first XV final.
First XV final
Forsyth Barr Stadium, tomorrow, 2.20pm
Otago Boys' High School: Rhys Mau'u, Matt Jones, Hemaua Samasoni, Sio Tomkinson, Jackson Mitchell, Michael Williams, Kaden Brooks, Tui Katoa, Jamie Mowat, Matt Heffenan, Brendon Murdoch, George Latta, Jermaine Ainsley, Sekonaia Pole (captain), Jonah Aiona. Reserves: Luke Moeke, Liam Sharples, Riley McDowall, Kereama Eripea, Matt Ellis, Jake Hamer, Chris McNoe.
Marlborough Boys' College: Mitch Smith, Tailah Love, Zac Harrison-Jones, Adam Smith, Chad Ternent, TC Campbell, Curtis Pedersen-Line, Sekope Lopeti, Braden Stewart, Cody Weir, Josh Sutherland, Michael Leger-Kula, Atu Moli (captain), Abe Rood, Bevan Moody. Reserves; Rayner Akurangi, George Kenny, Josh Holdaway, Hopoate Taufa, Trance Poa, Corey Bovey, Litani Totau, Ty Bampton.
Referee: James Doleman
