The Luisetti Seeds Combined Competition reaches the business end of the season this Saturday, with Waihora, Glenmark-Cheviot, Kaiapoi and Darfield all chasing a spot in next week’s final.

Ellesmere versus North Canterbury is often one of the highlights of the country rugby calendar, and this year's semi-finals have produced two outstanding matchups.

Defending champions Waihora will host regular final contenders Glenmark-Cheviot while on the other side of the province one team will make the finals for the very first time as Kaiapoi host a resurgent Darfield side.

For Waihora captain Liam Robinson, the challenge of taking on Glenmark-Cheviot is one his side is looking forward to.“They have a really strong set piece, which is something we pride ourselves on as well”, he said. "It's just about taking your opportunities when you get them. Moments under pressure are going to be huge and the forwards are going to dictate a lot of this game. It's a big challenge for us, which is really exciting. You want to play against the best and you want to beat the best."

Waihora's unbeaten season has been particularly impressive given changes the club faced during the off-season. With younger players and assistant coaches stepping up, Liam credits the club's culture for helping maintain their standards.

"Everyone is playing for each other and we've got a great changing room. It's all the cliché stuff, but you do want to do a bit more when you're playing with your good mates."

Standing in their way is a Glenmark-Cheviot side with an enviable finals record. Having taken home the cup six times since North Canterbury joined the competition in 2007, they know what it takes to succeed at this stage of the season.

Captain Nick Hyde says his side is embracing the challenge of taking on the competition frontrunner. "We've got nothing to lose because they've been on top the whole season. We just get to go down the track and have a good crack at them.”

Hyde expects an entertaining contest between two contrasting styles. "They've got a very dangerous backline. They can split you open from anywhere and they're all pretty bloody quick to be fair. We like to play a very physical up-front game of rugby and I think that's where we may have a bit of an edge."

The second semi-final sees Kaiapoi host Darfield, with the winner guaranteed to become a first-time Luisetti Seeds Combined Competition finalist. Kaiapoi have also gone unbeaten this season and captain Taine Jacobs-Lawson says earning a home semi-final has provided an added boost to the squad.

"The momentum we're on and having a home semi has given us a wee bit of extra confidence," he said. "Ultimately it'll come down to mistakes and who handles the pressure the best. We've lost semi-finals before through discipline and mistakes, so I believe whoever can handle the pressure the best will come out on top."

Darfield's rise has been one of the stories of the season. After finishing ninth in the competition last year, they now sit just 800 minutes away from a place in the grand final. 

A common theme across all semifinalists, player-coach Harrison Groundwater believes finals rugby comes down to defence and making the most of every opportunity on the field. "When you get an opportunity you've got to take it because in finals matches you don't get many. When you get the chance, you’ve got to be on and execute. Defence wins championships and being able to defend long periods of play will probably be the difference."

Defending champions, a six time winner, an undefeated side looking to break through and another who has surged from ninth to semi’s. Could we end up with a North Canterbury V Ellesmere final, or will it lean to just one of our Sub Unions? Get along to Rhodes Park or Kaiapoi RFC this Saturday for 3pm kick offs and see first hand one team get that step further to lifting the silverware.

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Words by Hannah Yates