And it’s a safe bet that the Southland Rams will be a much more cohesive unit.
The teams will meet today in the South Island Championship Final at the North Ground.
They have a very recent history. They played at the same venue last week and the home side rode to a very comfortable 56-18 win.
What was remarkable about that game was that the Whalers were leading 16-0 after nine minutes and had not made a single tackle.
All the Rams had done was kick off the ball and huddle under the posts.
It was extraordinary stuff. But Whalers coach Dave Reedy expects a tighter game today.
“We won’t get as much space and freedom as with the attack,” Reedy said.
“Their defenses will be tightened up and should be pretty solid. And their attack will be more structured.”
Southland has been doing a bit of foxing this past weekend. The Rams took the opportunity to rest half a dozen players, including hooker Daniel Low, who is so crucial to their game plan.
“Most of their attack comes from him, and he didn’t play last week.
“They will definitely be much tougher. But we knew that and we prepared for it.”
While Southland has made significant changes, Reedy has named a very well-known lineup.
Firm prop Mika Mafi and winger Tofatu Solia are unavailable, but dangerous second-rower Israel Otunuku has returned to the fold after taking a week off from a shoulder problem.
Whore Troy Anstiss was sick last weekend and is another returnee.
The Whalers will rely on Otunuku and the likes of Champ Betham and veteran Ricki Allan to drive the ball through the middle, while halves Mackenzie Haugh and Jordan McEntee only need a fraction of an opening to create some magic.
Expect Haugh to use his spiral point often, especially when he has the sun at his back. The Rams really struggled to handle the high ball this past weekend.
The Whalers also have some areas to work on. Reedy wants his side to put more defensive pressure on Southland in the early tackle count, and talk a lot more. In particular, communication on defense needs to be improved.
The attack could also use some straightening. He felt his side tend to drift wide.
Of course they won by almost 40 points, so the Whalers did a lot of good.
And they will be strong favorites on their home track.
South Island Championship
The Northern Ground
Saturday at 14:00
OTAGO WHALE FISHER: Tama Apineru, Piliu Tavake, Sione Fa’aoso, Lawrence Ualesi, Kiardyn Hatch, Mackenzie Haugh, Jordan McEntee, Ricki Allan (Captain), Troy Anstiss, Cameron Brown, Israel Otunuku, Champ Betham, Hagan Free, Jayden Hollander, Michael Mata’ half, Ben Fosita, Sam Wyber, Layne Opetaia, EJ Lam Cheung.
SOUTHLAND WINDOWS: Crete Walker, Brennan Sutherland, Juita Naqianivalu, Fale Joseph, Nehemiah Fa’amoe Ioane, Korey Pennicott, Osika Kaufononga, Kieran Turuwhenua (Co-Captain), Daniel
Low (Co-Captain), Junior Toparea, Tupou Kaufononga, Thomas Watts, Albert Qoro, Kelepi Holi, Kaiawha Walker, Marama Reti, Leo Wiki-Quest, Sione Kaufononga, Calder White, Josh Wilson.