He believes his Hawke's Bay Insurances Ltd NOBM side was ready for the semifinal and agreed the wet weather could work in their favour. "But anything can happen in semifinals," he added.
Havelock loosehead, promising Kelly Petrowski, 18, will mark Aoake. He was unable to train with his team on Thursday as he was returning from Taupo where he had been with the Magpies as injury cover. "I'm definitely keen for game time after not getting any in Taupo," Petrowski said.
Napier Old Boys Marist coach Mike Warren said he had no hesitation in giving Aoake the nod ahead of O'Leary: "Jarvy has been outstanding during the last four weeks."
Warren has made no secret of the fact his troops are ready to progress beyond the semifinal stage after finishing fifth last year and reaching the semifinals the previous three years.
"The boys feel they are due and have prepared accordingly. We've got a lot of young talent and you can see their excitement. This is mixed in with experienced campaigners like Sam [captain and and former Magpies second five-eighth] and Migao [winger Migao Lauano] who has played more than 150 games for the team."
Havelock head coach Tom Blake said his squad has been hit with injuries and he has been forced to bracket several players. But he pointed out his troops took plenty of heart out of their 19-10 loss to Napier Technical last weekend when playing without 10 first stringers.
"Finals rugby comes from the heart and we've got heart," Blake added.
Carters Frame and Truss Taradale No8 Kaleb Sweet will play his 50th game for the Mighty Maroons when they meet top qualifiers Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical in the other semifinal at Whitmore Park.
" The boys were disappointed when beaten in the semifinals last year and there's a bit more determination to go the extra two steps this season," Taradale coach Blair Cross said.
It will be interesting to see if Cross plays substitute prop Ezra Amituanai. A member of the Samoa side at the June Under-20 World Cup in France, Amituanui has huge potential.
Tech manager Cyril Whitburn said his troops are fired up and eager to capitalise on the home ground advantage.
"Semifinals are all about taking chances. Our boys know that and they also know Taradale won't be easy at they beat us when we last met."
Having fringe players from the Magpies training group, halfback Sheridan Rangihuna, hooker Josh Te Whata-Colley and fullback Tamati Samuels available, has been a big boost, Whitburn said.
SEMIFINAL TEAMS:
Matches kick off at 3pm today at Whitmore Park, Napier:
Napier Technical: Tamati Samuels, Scott Mogford, Asa Ene, Ted Walters, Leo Ene, Tane McGuire, Sheridan Rangihuna, Levi Guildford, Hugh Reed, Angus Benson, Darren Deeley, Guy Morris, Nathan Pulega, Josh Te Whata-Colley, Mark Braidwood.
Substitutes, forwards: Pine Pisaimalo, Lesley Setu, Martin Taumata, Phil Sterling. Backs: Drew Whaanga, Zane Crook, Brian Tareha.
Taradale: Manihera Eden, Nick Martin, Tom McIntyre, Nathan Ramsay, Uta Tupuola, John Semple, Karl Hewitt, Kaleb Sweet, Jaaron Fritz, Andrew Gardner, Angello Mufana, Reon Watts, Mike McLachlan, Joe Simeon, James Humphries.
Substitutes, forwards: Aaron Bidlake, Ezra Amituanai, Elijah Martin, Robert Tane, Harvey Gardner. Backs: Wade Woolley, Leafi Tupuola/Dylan Ramsay.
At Anderson Park, Havelock North:
Havelock North: Johnny Robin, Andy Barham, Brad Nicol, Levi Armstrong, Matt Goodwin, Adam Blake, Isaac Paewai, Zane Rangi, Liam Murphy/Isaiah Renata, Jules Janson/Luke Ottley, George Philip, Tyson Ataera, Adam Jowsey, Matt Phillips, Kelly Petrowski.'
Substitutes, forwards: Chad Harris, Bronson Primmer, Murphy/Renata, Ottley/Janson. Backs: Junior Armstrong,
Johnny Bristol, Soli Petaia.
Napier Old Boys Marist: Spencer Isopo, Migao Lauano, Misi Lealaisalanoa, Sam Giddens, Mark Collier, Regis
Lespinas, Johnny Lauano, Joseph Penitito, Sean Watts, Pouvi Fatialofa, Richard Gillespie/Adam Whitehead, Matt
Thompson, Mike King, Terry Marsh, Jarvy Aoake.
Substitutes, forwards: Eugene Gerrard, Reece O'Leary, Whitehead/Andrew Robinson,
Matt Robertson. Backs: Cory Simpkins, Liam Rukuwai, Logan Donaldson.
