BIG MATCH EXPERIENCE: Ace Malo and Wanganui's other veterans are ready for yet another Meads Cup final.PHOTO/FILE
SOUTH Canterbury coach Barry Matthews has spoken of learning curves, and Steelform Wanganui coach Jason Caskey is more than happy to hand out the lesson at Timaru's Alpine Energy Stadium to decide the 2015 Pink Batts Heartland's premier team tomorrow.
Caskey has named a settled lineup for the Meads Cup final with the starting XV from the semifinal victory in Ashburton all good to go, while loose forward Malakai Volau and utility back Areta Lama return to the bench.
The equation for finding tomorrow's winner can be summed up by which factor has the stronger presence - current form or big match experience.
South Canterbury and Wanganui have not met this year as in many ways the final placings for the regular season were decided in the opening two weeks of games with both teams losing to defending champions Mid Canterbury.
All three sides emerged streaks ahead of the other nine Heartland teams, although Mid Canterbury had one stumble along the way with Horowhenua Kapiti, while atrocious wet weather bogged down Wanganui in their draw with King Country.
Meanwhile, South Canterbury were not really tested by anyone else - racking up 52 tries (Wanganui scored 47) on their way to finishing top of the table and facing the distant fourth team Wairarapa-Bush last weekend.
Yet while Wanganui showed great composure to up-end Mid Canterbury 26-11, South Canterbury only just held out the Bush 25-21 in the other semifinal, with coach Matthews admitting his team froze under pressure at times.
"It was a real learning curve for us and in the end we showed a lot of character," he said.
So while South Canterbury with home advantage and an eight-game winning streak will start as favourites, no doubt whoever has the cooler heads will prevail.
"It's going to be a factor at the game - cut down the error rate and taking advantage of the other team's errors," said Caskey.
"They're a very creative team, but they'll offer opportunities because they're not scared to have a go."
He has watched footage of South Canterbury, with players like midfielder Erenimo Tau (10 tries) and fullback Paul Fifita (seven) willing to have a crack from deep in their own territory, yet "line speed and pressure" from Wanganui could mean even if the home side does make a breakout, they could find the ball run back at them just as hard from the turnover.
"We won't try to change a heap of stuff just because it's a final," said Caskey, referring to both squads.
South Canterbury are hosting - and playing - their first Meads Cup final, whereas Wanganui can call on a handful of veterans who have been a part of not only the three championships in 2008-09 and 2011, but also the bitter disappointments - like the 2012 final that slipped away in Ruatoria.
"A lot of them have been to just about all of them," said Caskey.
"You look at Cole Baldwin, Ace Malo, Peter Rowe and Fraser Hammond.
"It's been a couple of years since they've been in the Meads Cup final - it's as exciting for them as it is for anyone else. If you ask, a couple may be finishing their career and it would be a brilliant way to go out."
Composure on the big stage told last year when Mid Canterbury went to Westport and tipped up Buller, unbeaten all season, to retain the Meads Cup.
While the bodies were a little sore, Wanganui were fairly relaxed at training this week - buoyed by the news that six of them - Rowe, Baldwin, Hammond, Bryn Hudson, Lindsay Horrocks and Stephen Perofeta - have made the NZ Heartland squad.
While Caskey thought this was a "fair reflection", given his team's other standouts are either imports or remain affiliated to Fiji, a case could have been made for linchpin loosehead prop Kamipeli Latu.
"I thought he should have made it, apparently he went really close."
Latu, therefore, will have the chance to make a statement as South Canterbury's two selections - incumbent Timaru Tafa and Matt Fetu - will oppose him in the front row tomorrow.
The other players in form are lock Joseteki Veikune and No8 and co-captain Kieran Coll, who will look to lead by example as Rowe does for Wanganui.
The circumstances of today's trip south are identical to last week for Wanganui, even using the same plane.
Although there is an extra hour in the bus from Christchurch, Wanganui were delayed on their journey last week so even the 5pm arrival time is likely the same.
They will do a captain's run on the ground before another look tomorrow ahead of kickoff.
The game will be screened live on Sky Sport 1 as part of a big afternoon of rugby with the Lochore Cup final between King Country and North Otago, and the ITM Cup Premiership final with Canterbury and Auckland.
Kickoff in Timaru is at 4.30pm.