Kamo are quite happy wearing the "underdog title" heading into tomorrow's Southern Districts club rugby semifinals.
Hooker Scott Linklater said his side were shaping up nicely ahead of their crunch match against Mid Western, who topped the standings this season. "We're looking really strong, and have been going well at training.We find out soon if we get our Northland players back (Brad Linklater, Dan Mason and Cam Goodhue) for the final, which will be a big boost," Linklater said.
He added the team were looking at finishing fourth on the table as a positive thing. "I guess it means we're the underdogs, and hopefully we can fly under the radar heading into it."
Last time the pair met, Mid Western gave them a 52-0 thrashing and Linklater said Kamo were keen to get their own back. "They work really well as a unit and gave us a tune up last time we played ... so we hope to get revenge this weekend."
Because they finished top of the table, Mid Western will host the final. Coach Simon Cauty said his side were feeling confident ahead of the match but wary of a full-strength Kamo outfit. "They'll come out here with nothing to lose ... we're confident but also a little nervous," Cauty said. The other semifinal is shaping up to be a good battle, with the second placed Hora Hora hosting Mid Northern, who finished the season in third spot. Mid Western host Kamo at Maungakaramea, and Hora Hora play Mid Northern at Hora Hora tomorrow. Both games kick off at 3.15pm. In the reserves, Western Sharks host Hora Hora at Dargaville, and Mid Northern play Hora Hora at Hukerenui, kicking off at 12.30pm.
