The Alexandra Rugby Club men’s premier team, the Armadillos, triumphed over Wakatipu to secure their spot in the Central Otago Premier Rugby competition final this Saturday, July 20.

They will face the Rams from Upper Clutha in Wānaka at 2.30pm for the second year running. 

Armadillos captain Tyler Ford said he expected the Rams “to throw everything at [this year’s final]” as some of the Rams players would have “a chip on their shoulders after last year and falling at the final hurdle.”

He said despite the pressure of “do or die rugby”, he and the team were enjoying all the moments. 

“When the pressure comes on, we’re managing to perform . . . there’s a fine line between arrogance and confidence.

“We’re not going in thinking it’s ours. We’ve a good chance of winning if we’re in the fight at the end.”

Tyler was tight-lipped on the game plan but said the team would be sticking to its strengths and training as usual with coach Lee Wilson this week. 

“There are a few sore bodies [after Saturday’s semi] but everyone will be able to play in the final.”

The Armadillos beat Wakatipu 24-21 in the semi-final on July 13, after losing to them the week prior at Molyneux Park by 27 points.

Tyler said it felt awesome to win the semi-final.

“No one asserted dominance in the game and the lead went back and forth.”

It was a hard-fought semi with the Armadillos down by one point at half time 12-13. 

The team defended well in the last 20 minutes to take the win, with fans calling it a “gritty performance”.

Their points were from two tries and one conversion to Tyler Ford and four penalties to Nathan Hook.

Tyler said supporters travelling to games were a boost for the team. 

“Last week we had more supporters there than [home team] Wakatipu . . . three supporters' vans full from the club and other supporters too.”

Tyler thanked the broader community and local business sponsors for backing the team.

“A few older blokes have been coming up and having a chat in the supermarket . . . it’s cool to see rugby growing in the community.”  

The Armadillos have played the Rams once this season, losing 24 -28 in Tarras on June 15. 

The Rams beat Maniototo Maggots 58-8 in the other semi-final in Wānaka. They have had one loss in the 2024 season to Wakatipu in May. 

Last year’s grand-final against the Rams went Alexandra’s way with a narrow two-point margin win (34-32) and in 2023 the team won their first competition title since 2015. 

In 2022 the Rams lost the semi-final to Wakatipu, and Alexandra placed sixth out of seven in the competition that year. 

The Alexandra Armadillos after a home game against Cromwell this season, they won 35-24. PHOTO: Supplied