Crucial game for North Otago, Horowhenua

OAMARU: North Otago and HorowhenuaKapiti will have ample motivation when the two sides meet at Whitestone Stadium this afternoon.

Just three points separate the unions in the Heartland Championship standings.

North Otago is sixth with 10 points, while its opponent is eighth on seven points.

HorowhenuaKapiti coach Chris Wilton, now in his third year with the side, guided his team to the Meads Cup final last year.

‘‘We’ve lost a few players from last year. But this year it’s all about making 2018 our own and putting 2017 behind us after losing the Meads Cup final to Whanganui,’’ Wilton said.

HorowhenuaKapiti will lean on experienced lock Ryan Shelford, who has amassed more than 80 games for his province.

Scott Cameron is a strong tighthead prop, while in the backs first fiveeighth James So’oialo and left winger Willie Paia’aua are good attacking players.

Fullback Ethan Reti can be elusive as well.

‘‘This season we’ve had a wider range of players to select from with a couple of extra teams involved. But we’ve started the Heartland sluggishly.

‘‘South Canterbury outplayed us last game. We got a wake upcall from Mid Canterbury.

‘‘We haven’t hit our best form yet mainly because we have been a slow starter.

‘‘We need to start playing out the full 80 minutes. The potential is there.’’

North Otago has made several changes.

Jared Whitburn returns to the second row in place of Pita Sinamoni, while openside flanker Matt Duff returns.

In the backs, North Otago’s player of origin Kieran McClea makes his first class debut at halfback. Francis Kelly, who played fullback against King Country, returns to the left wing.

Burly utility Hemaua Samasoni comes into the side on the right wing and winger Simon Lillicama shifts to fullback.

In the other games this weekend, South Canterbury hosts East Coast, Wanganui plays Mid Canterbury, Thames Valley meets King Country, WairarapaBush takes on Buller and West Coast comes up against Poverty Bay.