The Otago Spirit heads into its last game today facing a mammoth task, and hoping that it has left its best game till last.
It is nearly a mission impossible against perennial champion Auckland Storm, which has won countless women's provincial championships and has not been beaten this season.
The Aucklanders had a comfortable 58-5 win over Hawkes Bay in Taradale on Wednesday, a catch-up game after the fixture was called off earlier in the season when fog closed Auckland's airport.
Spirit coach Tim Belcher is realistic about what he expects from his team, which has just managed a draw and three losses in its four games so far this season.
"The most important thing is we have got nothing to lose and we want to make them think about a few things," he said yesterday.
"We have not been bested in the forwards so far this season and that is something we want to continue. We have set some little goals tomorrow and if our defence in the backline can be good and we do those little things well, then we will have to be pleased."
The Spirit has been hard hit by injury, with captain Gemma Tuhega forced out because of an arm injury. Beth Mallard takes over the captaincy.
Lock Kyle Cathro, who has won plenty of ball in the lineout for the side, is also out with a sore neck, and inside back Victoria Nafatali badly gashed her knee in the draw with Manawatu last week and has not recovered.
Belcher said losing the injured players was a blow but that just gave the chance to some younger players and he hoped they would rise to the challenge.
The side had been improving throughout the season and, in such a shortened competition, probably needed to play a couple of warm-up games before the competition started. It was also hampered by a couple of key players being unavailable due to injuries and work commitments.
The Auckland team is sprinkled with talent and national representatives, and has already made the final. Classy hooker Fiao'o Faamausili returns to the starting team.
Auckland will meet either Wellington or Canterbury, who clash in the capital today, in the final next week. The final will be the curtain-raiser to the ITM Cup premiership final.
OTAGO v AUCKLAND
- University Oval No 5, today, noon
• Otago Spirit: Claire Richardson, Angela Taylor, Greer Muir, Lucy Anderson, Sheree Hume, Maxine Maginess, Rebecca Todd, Nicola Crawford, Leyhana van Vugt, Angie Sesifo, Mikayla Smith, Lisa Wardell, Beth Mallard (captain), Cherie Jackson, Pip Love.
Reserves: Rachel Scott, Kerry Stoddard, Talia Allison, Claire Smith, Jamie Greene, two to be added.
• Auckland Storm: Hazel Tubic, Victoria Grant, Trish Hina, Teresa te Tamaki, Karley Te Kawa, Bella Milo, Emma Jensen (captain), Aroha Savage, Justine Levea, Rawinia Everitt, Vita Robinson, Eloise Blackwell, Karina Penetito, Fiao'o Faamausili, Ala Bakulich.
Reserves: Aleisha Nelson, Doris Taufateau, Kelani Matapo, Chamaine McMenamin, Arihana Marino, Chelsea Alley, Johana Su'a.
