On paper, it shapes as a mismatch at Rugby Park.
Southland has 12 past or present Super 14 players in its starting XV, including an all-Highlanders front row that features former All Black Jamie Mackintosh.
The Stags are enjoying a golden era, coming off back-to-back semifinal placings in the national championship with a squad built from exceptional local talent, some key recruits and the patient guidance of respected co-coaches Simon Culhane and David Henderson.
There is also zero chance Southland - the team and the province - will be complacent tonight as it is the first opportunity to defend the shield, and a crowd of up to 10,000 is expected.
North Otago has been a second-tier power for more than a decade and has been boosted by the return of midfield back Luke Herden, halfback Kilifi Fangupo and No 8 Tevita Fifita.
But there are new faces to assimilate everywhere else, and it has been a long time since a non-professional union managed to be competitive with one of the big guns.
Matthews accepted his rebuilding side must be the underdog but was confident it would contribute to an occasion to be remembered.
"It will be the biggest game in their careers for many, if not all, of the players. I'm quite satisfied the boys will give 100%," Matthews said.
"It will also be a chance for our players to match themselves against top-class players, as they receive few opportunities in the Heartland Championship. I know in my playing days I loved to get the opportunity to play against the Aucklands and the Canterburys.
"Tonight is the best it can be and hopefully the occasion will bring the best out of our players."
Matthews acknowledged Southland had a formidable side, particularly up front, but said North Otago would be keen to show its abilities.
"I would have liked to have had a couple of games prior to the challenge. It wasn't to be, but I can't fault the dedication and the attitude of the players.
"The shield is there to be won. We've taken great heart from what other teams have done against the odds. Who would have thought that North Otago [cricketers] would have taken the Hawke Cup?"
Stags co-coach Dave Henderson said people in Southland were excited about the prospect of watching the province's first Ranfurly Shield defence in 51 years.
"We are receiving a lot of good luck messages and the public are looking forward to the game," Henderson said.
Southland had deliberately selected a strong team for its first defence.
"We are showing respect to North Otago and it is a good opportunity to get our systems in place before the NPC starts," he said.
"There will be a crowd of 10,000 at the game and we don't want to perform badly.
"There is extra bounce in our team for what is essentially a pre-season game. We hear that North Otago has been in camp and they will be up for it."
~ THE MATCH ~
Where: Rugby Park, Invercargill
When: Tonight, 7.35pm, live on Sky Sport 1
Referee: Vinny Munro (Canterbury)
TAB odds: Southland 49+ ($1.80), North Otago win ($20)
TEAMS
- North Otago: Billy Guyton, Ofa Fatai, Faaitu Tuamoheloa, Luke Herden (captain), Kasanova Soane, Ben Patston, Kilifi Fangupo, Tevita Fifita, Ross Hay, Ryan Long, David Simpson, Eric Duff, Pieter van der Merwe, Stuart Philpott, Palenapa Mafi. 0
Reserves: Cameron Schultz, Ralph Darling, Marshall Smith, Josh Collier, Paula Fonokalafi, Jason Forrest, Ekeroma Sefo
- Southland: Glen Horton, Mark Wells, Pehi Te Whare, Seminar Manu, James Patterson, James Wilson, Scott Cowan, Hua Tamariki, Tim Boys or Dion Bates, John Hardie, Joe Tuineau, Josh Bekhuis, Chris King, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh (captain).
Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Nic Barrett, Bates or Alex Ryan, Elliot Dixon, Nick Annear, Robbie Robinson or John Dodd, Tony Koonwaiyou or Nick McGrath
SHIELD HISTORY
- North Otago: Played 11, lost 11. Closest loss: 9-3 v South Canterbury, 1974
- Southland: Played 57, won 22, lost 33. Shield tenures: 1920-21 (two games), 1929-30 (four games), 1937 (one game), 1938-1946 (12 games), 1959 (one game), 2009- (one game)
- Terry O'Neill and Alistair McMurran.
