Historic opportunity for Rams
It is no surprise that Upper Clutha and Wakatipu are contesting Central Otago premier club rugby's final in Wānaka tomorrow, having been two of the standout teams for several seasons.
But what is astonishing is that Upper Clutha and Wakatipu have not opposed one another in the Central Otago final for over 50 years.
Upper Clutha club statistician Gary Reid believes the last time the two clubs fought out the final was 1972.
"What was significant about 1972 was that it has been, until now, the only occasion Upper Clutha has won the club title and held the White Horse Trophy simultaneously.
"They are in a position to repeat that achievement on Saturday."
Upper Clutha experienced lean times after that and did not win the club title again until 2018.
Since then, they have developed into a major force in Central Otago rugby, losing only three of their past 41 games across three seasons.
After contesting the final in 2021, when they lost to Cromwell, they went through the 2023 season undefeated until Alexandra knocked them over in the final. But they remedied that last year, giving Alexandra a pasting in the final.
Wakatipu won the title in 2017 (beating Arrowtown) and 2022 (beating Cromwell) but have stumbled at the semifinal stage the past two years.
After eliminating Alexandra 26-7 in the semifinals last weekend, Wakatipu coach Jordan Manihera is confident his team are capable of a truly grand finale.
"I'm happy for us to go into the final as underdogs. The last time we did that, in 2024, we took the White Horse Trophy off them.
"Our mindset is we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Two weeks back, when we played at Wānaka, we didn't finish off the opportunities we created."
Manihera has not ruled out fullback Conner Hamlin, who has scored 16 tries across two seasons, from playing, even though he suffered a painful rib injury last Saturday.
"He's a tough rooster — we'll see how he recovers as the week goes on."
There is little between the two teams as they prepare for the final. Upper Clutha have scored 60 tries and Wakatipu 55. Upper Clutha have conceded 27 tries (but none in the last two games) and Wakatipu 24. With 127 points, Wakatipu captain Rube Peina has overtaken Alexandra's Tyler Ford as the most prolific scorer in the competition.
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Otago Daily Times
6 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
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Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Upper Clutha warm favourites for final
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Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
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Central Otago team of the season
Bob Howitt names a team of the season from the Central Otago premier club competition. 15 Henry Schikker (Upper Clutha) The brand of fullback every coach wants — speedy, enterprising and a reliable tackler. 14 Conner Hamlin (Wakatipu) Possessed of blistering speed. Lightly built but fearless under the high ball. Missed the final with a serious rib injury but still finished with eight tries. 13 Tyler Ford (Alexandra) Class act at centre who guided Alex through to the semifinals again. Scored 116 points. Captained Central to a stirring victory in the Topp Cup contest. 12 Rube Peina (Wakatipu) Inspirational captain who scored 129 points, including all 23 in one contest, and contributed massively to Central's Topp Cup triumph. 11 Jack East (Upper Clutha) After three seasons playing in Victoria, Canada, took possession of the No14 jersey mid-season after a string of injuries. Scored four tries on debut and another couple of crackers in the final. 10 Ben Maxwell (Maniototo) Debut season for the Maggots after a decade starring for Cromwell. His goalkicking and general experience helped Maniototo qualify for the semifinals. 9 Ryan O'Neill (Alexandra) Tough performer whose slick passing helped Alex qualify for the semifinals. A star of the Topp Cup victory. 8 Jake Burtenshaw (Upper Clutha) Nothing between him and Wakatipu adversary Anton Huisman, but a cracking display in the final, including a try, gives it to Burtenshaw again. 7 Sam Chapman (Alexandra) Rare for a loose forward to finish the season as top try-scorer, but he managed it with 12 touchdowns. Sensational in the semifinal clash against Wakatipu. 6 Lachie Carrick (Upper Clutha) Another man-of-the-match performance against Wakatipu in the final. In a class of his own in the lineouts. 5 Dean Sinnamon (Matakanui Combined) Played most of the season as a loose forward for his club, but turned in a man-of-the-match display from lock in the Topp Cup contest. Grabbed three tries there and 11 for his club. Named Central Otago's player of the season. 4 Andrew Horne (Upper Clutha) If it wasn't Carrick stealing opponents' lineout ball on a regular basis, it was Horne. He's off to Scotland for a holiday, meaning he will miss the Otago Country matches. 3 William Holdom (Alexandra) A player with a huge engine and plenty of rugby nous. Played all 13 games for the Armadillos and starred in the Topp Cup win. 2 Scott Cunningham (Upper Clutha) Chalked up his 100th appearance in the semifinal against Maniototo and contributed plenty in the final. 1 Mike Philip (Matakanui Combined) Major contributor, along with Sinnamon, in Matakanui Combined's strong revival throughout the season. Deservedly won Topp Cup selection. Reserves: Jamie Natapu (Wakatipu), Rhys Harrold (Cromwell), Oliver Stirling (Upper Clutha), Anton Huisman (Wakatipu), Will Healey (Alexandra), Blair Kennedy (Upper Clutha), Alex Chubb (Cromwell).
