The background
New name, new uniform. Dunedin, formerly Otago, has five new faces to the side that won back-to-back titles at home a year ago.
The squad boasts four ANZ Championship players in Shannon Francois, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Stacey Peeters (all Steel) and Zoe Walker (Tactix).
Francois came into the squad only this week after captain Gina Crampton broke a finger at practice on Tuesday night, ruling her out of the competition.
While losing a player of the calibre of Crampton is a blow, Francois is a more than able replacement. She was available for selection after missing out on a spot in the Silver Ferns squad last week.
Crampton will travel with the team as the ''No 1 cheerleader'' and said the team had the depth to do well in Auckland.
''I think we have been training really well. We have got a team of 12 - we don't just have seven that stand out. It's a hectic week so we need everyone rotating,'' she said.
As well as experience, the team has some young blood coming through in Dunedin under-17 representative and New Zealand secondary school triallist Abby Erwood, and Dunedin under-19 player Danielle Gray.
The schedule
Dunedin is in pool A with Kapi Mana, Eastern Waikato and Counties-Manukau, and will probably have to top the pool to avoid facing highly-fancied Christchurch, which pipped Dunedin 61-60 in a pre-season match earlier this month in Temuka, in the next round.
While Dunedin should sweep past Eastern Waikato and Counties-Manukau, the opening match against Kapi Mana poses the biggest challenge.
Wing defence Katarina Cooper, who recently signed with the Steel for next season, is one of three ANZ Championship players in the side.
West Coast Fever defender Erena Mikaere, who played for the Steel last year, and centre Elias Shadrock (Pulse) join Cooper to form the core of the side, while Daya Wiffen adds depth to the midcourt.
The winner of the pool will probably play Wellington in the next round. Coach Lauren Piebenga has not yet named a replacement captain for Crampton.
Key players
1. Te Paea Selby-Rickit (GA, GS)
Her combination with Olivia Bates in the shooting circle will have a big say in how far Dunedin goes. New Zealand is not exactly spoilt for shooters and a good tournament will only propel her up the pecking order.
2. Stacey Peeters (WD, C)
Peeters will probably rotate with Shannon Francois and Miaana Walden at centre. Her silky ball distribution and hussle in the midcourt make her a key part of the squad.
3. Shannon Francois (C, WA)
Called into the squad to replace injured captain Crampton this week, Francois will play a big part in the title defence. She is a fine passer and should give her shooters plenty to work with.
4. Zoe Walker (GK, GD, WD)
The rock at the defensive end. At 1.81m tall, Walker will lead the Dunedin defensive effort and should form a good combination with Kirsten Craig in rebuffing the opposition.
Pool opponents
Kapi Mana
Coach: Tia Remeka.
Key players: Katarina Cooper, Erena Mikaere, Elias Shadrock, Daya Wiffen.
Eastern Waikato
Coach: Kiri Kawhe.
Key players: Michelle Tupper, Tiaan Kasey Taylor, Mereana Monk.
Counties-Manukau
Coach: Caitlin Riedstra.
Key players: Nadia Loveday, Maria Masei, Mere Ramaka.
Best of the rest
Christchurch
The oil: Stacked with nine ANZ Championship players, including two Steel players (Jane Watson and Sophia Fenwick). On paper, this is the team to beat. However, the same thing could have been said last year and Hamilton thumped Christchurch 58-42 in the semifinals.
Key players: Ellen Halfpenny, Julianna Naoupu, Jane Watson, Sophia Fenwick.
North Harbour
The oil: Coached by former Silver Ferns coach Yvonne Willering and Linda Vagana, last year's fifth-placed team should press for a top-four finish.
Key players: Malia Paseka, Temalisi Fakahokotau, Emmeline Croft.
Hamilton
The oil: After losing to Dunedin 54-53 in a heart-stopping final last year, Hamilton will want nothing less than to go one step further in Auckland.
Key players: Elsa Brown, Samantha Sinclair, Jo Trip.
Auckland
The oil: Knocked out at the hands of Dunedin in the semifinals last year, Auckland will be back with a vengeance in front of its home crowd.
Key players: Kayla Cullen, Phoenix Karaka, Elisapeta Toeva.
National championship
The facts
Dunedin squad
Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Shannon Francois, Zoe Walker, Miaana Walden (all Southern), Sophie Napper, Olivia Bates, Stacey Peeters, Danielle Gray, Renaye Flockton (College), Kirsten Craig (Phys Ed), Bridget Thayer (University-Albion), Abby Erwood (South Otago High School).
Dunedin's games
Monday: v Kapi Mana, 2:30pm; v Eastern Waikato, 7.30pm
Tuesday: v Counties-Manukau, 2.15pm.
Wednesday-Friday: Playoffs.
