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Championship final preview: Otago v North Harbour

Otago have been the team to beat in the Championship in 2016 but face an immense challenge from North Harbour if they are to be promoted to the Premiership.

MATCH DETAILS: OTAGO v NORTH HARBOUR

Friday 28 October 2016, 7.35pm at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Played: 36 (1986–2016)
Wins: North Harbour 11, Otago 25
Last match: Otago 24 North Harbour 13 (17 September 2016)
Last North Harbour win: North Harbour 35 Otago 23 (2010)
Biggest differential: North Harbour by 36 (60–24) in 1995

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SQUAD NEWS
North Harbour have named a largely unchanged side from the one that stunned Wellington 40-37 in the semifinal, with hookers Ray Niuia and Vyron Smith bracketed on the bench. Otago are also largely unchanged with hooker also being there only cause for concern with Sam Anderson-Heather needing to pass a fitness test to take his place in the starting line up.

LAST TIME
It was Otago’s defence that was the difference when the sides last clashed on September 17. In a hard fought match, Otago crossed for tries to front rowers Sam Anderson-Heather and Craig Millar to set up the 24-13 win. North Harbour attacked throughout the match but struggled to finish their chances as the Otago defence held firm. Otago first five-eighth Fletcher Smith was also influential with four well struck penalties to ensure Otago got home.

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KEY MATCH UP
Although this match won’t be decided on one head-to-head matchup, the clash between rival number eights Paul Grant and Murphy Taramai will be as influential as any in the contest. Grant has returned to the Otago setup after some time away and his leadership has been one of the central pillars to their success this year. Taramai has been one of North Harbour’s most dynamic runners and formed a great partnership with Bryn Hall in the number nine jersey.

VETERAN ON STANDBY
Former All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore has answered an SOS call from Otago and will come into their match 23 if regular rake Sam Anderson-Heather fails a fitness test. Hore began his first-class with Otago in 1998 and would make his 311th appearance if he takes to the field. That would put Hore to 12th on the all-time list for most appearances by a New Zealand player and equal with Zinzan Brooke.

FAST FACT
North Harbour have not played in a National Provincial Championship final since their match with Auckland in 1994.

TEAMS
Otago: Michael Collins, Mitchell Scott, Matt Faddes, Teihorangi Walden, Fa’asiu Fuatai, Fletcher Smith, Jonathan Ruru, Paul Grant (c), James Lentjes, Naulia Dawai, Tom Franklin, Blair Tweed, Donald Brighouse, Sam Anderson-Heather, Craig Millar;
Reserves: Seko Pole, Aki Seiuli, Josh Hohneck, Josh Dickson, Adam Knight, Josh Walden, Scott Eade, Sio Tomkinson

North Harbour: Matt McGahan, Matt Duffie, Matt Vaega, Michael Little, Tevita Li, Bryn Gatland, Bryn Hall, Murphy Taramai, Connor Collett, Glenn Preston, Chris Vui (c), Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Sione Mafileo, Adrian Smith, Nic Mayhew;
Reserves: Ray Niuia/Vyron Smith, Jody Allen, Jethro Felemi, Brandon Nansen, Kane Jacobson, Chris Smylie, Daniel Hilton-Jones, Afa Fa’atau

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