It has been a week like no other for the Otago Spirit teenagers of the team.
Hannah Norris, 16, and 17-year-old Charlotte Va'afusuaga have not only been preparing for their school's benchmark exams this week but also the Farah Palmer women's championship final.
"It's pretty full on," said Norris. "Gym in the morning and training in the afternoon, so just finding a good balance between study and rugby of course."
The two students of Dunedin's St Hilda's Collegiate School are among some of the youngest to be competing in this year's competition.
"We're certainly seeing more school girls playing club rugby, not only playing but also being quite dominant at club rugby," coach Craig Sneddon said.
"They're there for a reason — they get the job done," he said.
Some students from St Hilda's Collegiate School are a part of the Otago Spirit team. (Source: 1News)
Balancing life and rugby is the nature of the amateur competition. Second-five Cheyenne Cunningham is a calf rearer living in Canterbury's Kurow and having to travel a four-hour round trip at least three times a week.
"I'm working in the mornings and it's pretty much right up until I have to leave pretty much. I listen to music and do lots of thinking but I do it because I just love the game," Cunningham said.
It has made it all worth it, with Otago now with a golden opportunity to return to the competition's premiership. But standing in their way is the Manawatū Cyclones who haven't dropped a match this entire season.
But Otago has sent a strong message to their rivals. After suffering a thumping from Wellington in the round robin stages, the Spirit went on to stun everyone last weekend when they downed Wellington in the semi final 51-38 to earn a spot in the final.
"It was such a good feeling," Cunningham said. "We had a lot of people doubting us!
"We know that we can definitely do it if we can bring that same performance."
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