With the teams not meeting in the pre-competition grading games, there is no indication as to how tomorrow's game might go, but Walker went to watch Pikiao's win over Pacific Sharks last Saturday. He said he got a few ideas from watching the game.
"It was an interesting game," he said.
The focus of both coaches - Walker and Jason Parata at the Warriors, has been defence.
"It's been a big part of our trainings lately because we're allowing other teams to score more points that they should be," said Walker.
But the narrow loss to Taupo was a fillip.
"We took something out of that. It shows we are improving each week, so that's a good sign. "It's always a battle against Pikiao, but the boys will lift themselves."
Walker also has better news on the player availability front. Having not been able to field a 17-man squad in recent weeks, he should have a full bench at tomorrow's game.
Parata said the derby was always a big game in any season.
"It has a bit more about it than some of the other games," he said.
Defence has been part of his team's preparation.
"Our preparation will be the same - we're not taking anyone lightly, especially them, they always rise to the occasion."
He said while there had been some niggles in games in the past, now it was a friendly rivalry - with the fact both teams featured players from the former Central side adding to the mix.
Parata has a few minor injury worries that will prevent him naming his team early.
In contrast to his counterpart, Parata has some depth in his wider playing squad creating competition for places.
Tomorrow's game at Puketawhero Park kicks off at 2.30pm with Pikiao Reserves taking on Papamoa at 1pm.
