Today's Super Eight clash between a depleted Tauranga Boys' College and Palmerston North Boys' High School shapes a pivotal match towards finals aspirations.

This afternoon the two sides clash at Tauranga's Nicholson Field with the home side looking to shake off a number of personnel losses to secure its second win of the competition.

Tauranga Boys' College is taking on Palmerston North North Boys' High School. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

So far they have grabbed five points, with a win and two losses from the opening three round, to sit second from the bottom. Palmerston North is the only side yet to register a win in 2015.

Tauranga beat Napier 30-18, but has lost 8-20 to Napier Boys High School and 5-43 to Rotorua Boys High School, who sit third on the ladder.

Tauranga Boys' coach Jason Spice says after a slow start to the season the side is starting to show some promising signs after a last week's win over Napier.

'Saturday game is shaping as a pivotal game for Tauranga and a win will certainly keep us in the chasing pack.”

He says this week has been about reintegrating some of the longer term injuries and doing their best to get all hands on deck due to losing several players to Maori Battalion Tour leaving this morning.

Not the best preparation, but a decent showing is still expected, adds Spice.

'As we all know Super Eight is a tough competition and Palmerston North will still be a huge challenge despite their recent form.

'This will certainly be a test of our wider squad and all players are prepared as well as can be.”

Next week Tauranga host perennial favourites and heavyweights Hamilton Boys High School who currently sit atop the standings and face Napier this weekend.

But, Spice isn't getting ahead of himself focusing squarely on the Palmerston North task at hand.

'To be fair our focus is only as far as our next game and Hamilton Boys is a game that will only come into focus on Monday.”