They also have more match play after Ngongotaha were last weekend handed victory against their scheduled opponents, Tauranga Boys' College, who defaulted citing school commitments.
Walker said his team were the underdogs going into the fixture but whatever the outcome "football will be the real winner on the day".
"What an occasion for the football community, everyone has been saying they can't remember a time in local history when the two sides have met under such close circumstances," he said.
"It will be a hugely tough game and it will most definitely be the toughest both sides have played in all season.
"We have the advantage of youth and the unknown on our side but every player will have to stick to the game plan, and I'm hoping we'll be clinical in front of goal. But whatever the outcome both teams are doing Rotorua proud and I hope we have a big turnout."
His side's captain and goalkeeper Andrew Gibbs was looking forward to a competitive game.
"We are all great friends off the field and a lot of us have played together growing up, but as soon as we step onto the pitch on Saturday that will be thrown right out the window."
Ngongotaha, in their 50th jubilee year, want to continue from last year's strong season when they were second.
"It is a crucial game," said Ngongotaha captain Dave Haua. "Rotorua [United] are the mystery side because we don't know many of the boys and at the start of the season we wouldn't have thought they would have been right up at the top challenging.
"But they deserve to be there. They play with a lot of heart so we have to be on the top of our game to get a result on Saturday. I expect to see tough tackling and a feisty atmosphere, it is a derby after all."
Daniel Gibbs, United's president, hopes the occasion will give football a real boost in the community and inspire younger generations for the future.
"We need to use this as a opportunity to inspire younger players into the senior game and I hope people sit up and take notice, like sponsors and the council because this will help the future of football."
- Tomorrow's local derby is at Neil Hunt Park, kick-off 2.45pm.
Tomorrow's draw:
WaiBOP Premiership (kick off 2.45pm): Otumoetai FC v Tauranga at Fergusson Park 1; Melville United v Waikato Unicol AFC at Gower Park 5; Katikati FC Ambria Premiership v Cambridge FC at Katikati College 1; Tauranga Boys' College 1st XI v Matamata Swifts Prem at Southey 1; Old Blues Prem v SGS Papamoa Premiership at Wharepai Domain 1.
WaiBOP Championship (kick off 12.30 unless stated): Otumoetai FC v Taupo AFC at Fergusson Park 1; Old Blues v West Hamilton at Wharepai Domain 1; Hamilton Wanderers v Ngongotaha Champs at Porritt Stad 1; Whakatane Town v Waikato Unicol AFC Reserves at Rex Morpeth Pk 1; Te Awamutu Edmond Judd v Matamata Swifts Reserves at The Stadium; Tokoroa v Cambridge FC at Strathmore PK 1.
