Otago going in strongly

MOMENTUM means a lot in sport.

At the moment, Otago has some. Canterbury not so much.

Heading into tonight’s Mitre 10 Cup match in Christchurch, Otago has won its last three games.

It beat Wellington in the capital and then had home victories over CountiesManukau and Northland last Friday night.

Canterbury, on the other hand, started the season with a win, lost two games, then won two matches — one of them in extra time — and have lost the last two games.

So the red and blacks have been stumbling along a bit, and the side was hammered last week by Bay of Plenty 448.

The home side now not only finds itself outside the top four, but is in a dogfight to avoid relegation.

It has tough games against Tasman and Auckland left, so needs to get something out of tonight’s match.

Otago has been tracking along well, though playing in the championship is definitely easier than the premiership where Canterbury is placed.

Otago has not won at the stadium in Addington since it was constructed in 2012, but if ever there is time for a win it is tonight.

The side has the artillery to get the job done. It has an experienced and solid front row. Lock Josh Dickson is in good form coming back from injury while flanker Slade

McDowall gets his chance to show his wares after completing a threeweek suspension.

Sam Fischli makes his starting debut for Otago. The former South Otago High School pupil, who hails from Milton, has worked away at Taieri and was impressive in the title winning side this year.

He will have big shoes to fill with Charles Elton having played well for Otago this season, making the step up from North Otago in the Heartland Championship.

In the backs, the trio of Josh Ioane, Sio Tomkinson and Vili