"I've got full confidence we can beat them, especially if we live up to potential," Hobbs said.
He has talked to friends from the Hawkes Bay involved in their cricket, who say Napier Tech are not as daunting as they would appear.
It also helps that none of the other teams will have their current Central Districts Stags players, as they will be playing a Ford Trophy match with Northern Districts in New Plymouth.
United have managed to fit in a couple of extra practice sessions for the weekend.
"If it comes off, it comes off, but if it doesn't, we won't lose sleep," said Hobbs.
"Just as long as we give it a crack and don't let ourselves down."
After a summer of playing on bowler-friendly pitches, United hope their Wanganui representative batsman Greg Smith is due for a big score, especially in the absence of Lance.
They will also pin their hopes on a four-prong pace attack in Slight, representative captain Simon Badger, Brendon Walker and Ritesh Verma, backed up by young medium pacer Dylan Martin and veteran spinner Robbie Power.
"Our bowling is our strength this year, absolutely," Hobbs said.
Because of United's unexpected qualification for Fitzherbert Park, their regular Coastal Challenge Cup game this afternoon with Marist has been moved to Waitangi Day Monday.
Hobbs said they were not yet sure if they would be able to play that match, as they would rather it was moved to another weekend down the line.
The United team is
Allistar Bostock, Matthew Boswell, Greg Smith, Robbie Power, Simon Badger, Chris Sharrock, Brendon Walker, Gerard Hobbs (c), Stephen Holloway, Ryan Slight, Ritesh Verma, Dylan Martin.
