The Otago Spirit will look to go two from two in the national provincial competition when it plays the Wellington Pride in the capital today.
Fresh off a convincing 38-5 win against Bay of Plenty last weekend, Otago coach John Hyde is confident his side can beat Wellington, which lost 22-10 to Manawatu in the opening round.
''I watched a bit of their game on television last week. They have got a big forward pack and some pace outside.
"We need to win our set piece to make the big girls run side to side and spread them out,'' he said.
Hyde has tinkered with the team that earned a bonus point win against Bay of Plenty last week.
Winger Georgia Williams suffered a high-ankle sprain at training and will miss three to four weeks.
Michaela Baker moves from fullback to replace Williams, while pivot Sheree Hume moves to fullback.
Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali comes off the bench and will run the cutter from first receiver, while Rebecca Todd is a straight swap with Madeleine Finch at blindside flanker.
In a competition with no semifinals, it is important to start well in the hunt for a top two finish and spot in the final.
Otago had a good week of training and was looking forward to having a crack at Wellington, Hyde said.
''There's a good vibe in the camp at the moment. We have got a new management team and some new players; we're coming together well.
''We were fortunate to have an early two-day trip away in the Bay [last week] to get to know each other. We're pretty confident but we need to start well. If they get their tails in the air early it will be tough.''
Otago has its first home game of the season next weekend against Counties Manukau.
Otago v Wellington
Wellington, today, 12.30pm
Otago: Phillipa Love, Lucy Emery, Gemma Tuhega, Michaela Smith, Epe Elisara, Rebecca Todd, Georgia Mason, Angie Sisifa (captain), Megan Manson, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, Claire Richardson, Kilisitina Moata'ane, Greer Muir, Michaela Baker, Sheree Hume, Zoe Whatarau, Sophie Kuper, Syreeta Norris, Madeleine Finch, Olivia Waldron, Samarra Soper, Summer van Loenhout.
Fresh off a convincing 38-5 win against Bay of Plenty last weekend, Otago coach John Hyde is confident his side can beat Wellington, which lost 22-10 to Manawatu in the opening round.
''I watched a bit of their game on television last week. They have got a big forward pack and some pace outside.
"We need to win our set piece to make the big girls run side to side and spread them out,'' he said.
Hyde has tinkered with the team that earned a bonus point win against Bay of Plenty last week.
Winger Georgia Williams suffered a high-ankle sprain at training and will miss three to four weeks.
Michaela Baker moves from fullback to replace Williams, while pivot Sheree Hume moves to fullback.
Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali comes off the bench and will run the cutter from first receiver, while Rebecca Todd is a straight swap with Madeleine Finch at blindside flanker.
In a competition with no semifinals, it is important to start well in the hunt for a top two finish and spot in the final.
Otago had a good week of training and was looking forward to having a crack at Wellington, Hyde said.
''There's a good vibe in the camp at the moment. We have got a new management team and some new players; we're coming together well.
''We were fortunate to have an early two-day trip away in the Bay [last week] to get to know each other. We're pretty confident but we need to start well. If they get their tails in the air early it will be tough.''
Otago has its first home game of the season next weekend against Counties Manukau.
- Robert van Royen
Otago v Wellington
Wellington, today, 12.30pm
Otago: Phillipa Love, Lucy Emery, Gemma Tuhega, Michaela Smith, Epe Elisara, Rebecca Todd, Georgia Mason, Angie Sisifa (captain), Megan Manson, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, Claire Richardson, Kilisitina Moata'ane, Greer Muir, Michaela Baker, Sheree Hume, Zoe Whatarau, Sophie Kuper, Syreeta Norris, Madeleine Finch, Olivia Waldron, Samarra Soper, Summer van Loenhout.
