The two-time Meads Cup champions Mid Canterbury have made a late change for today's clash with Wanganui at Cooks Gardens with powerful winger Seta Koroitamana moving closer to the action at No8.
Koroitamana, a Fijian age group representative and previous member of the Crusaders development team, will cover for regularNo8 Ulua Tevita.
Gideon Lambrechts moves from the reserves bench to the left wing and winger Christian Vainere joins the team.
Overall, it remains a well-balanced squad, which is the key reason Mid Canterbury have been able to win the Pink Batts Heartland Meads Cup for consecutive seasons, 2013-2014.
Steelform Wanganui coach Jason Caskey knows how hard that task can be - being the assistant coach when Wanganui did it in 2008-9.
"A lot of it comes down to experience too, last year that was a clear factor in the final [against Buller]," Caskey said. "Mid Canterbury come right at the right time. Knowing how to handle pressure."
Wanganui will be looking to maintain momentum today. This was often absent in the victory against Horowhenua Kapiti as the team would score a try and then be under the pump straight from the kick-off, conceding points in a tit-for-tat fashion.
In the 13 Heartland Championship games between the sides since 2006, Wanganui have won nine and lost four.
