The Otago Spirit has become creative in its search for a first five-eighth.
The Spirit opens its campaign against Manawatu in Palmerston North on August 6 and will run out with fullback Liv Waldron playing in the pivot's role.
With regular first five-eighth Michaela Baker unavailable for the early part of the season and fellow pivot American Hannah Stolba injured, Waldron will steer the team around.
If she breaks down, halfback Megan Manson will fill in.
It is not ideal but coach Duncan McEwan is confident the side will get through.
"[Waldron] played [at number] 10 for us in the early part of last year and then played more at fullback,'' McEwan said.
"She is going to have to step up and play there for definitely the first game and possibly longer. But, to be honest, she has been training really well in the role and I've been very happy with her progress.''
The versatile Manson will provide cover. She plays fullback for her club side and halfback for the Spirit and may find herself in another position should fate intervene.
"For us she is a halfback who can play fullback. There are still a few things to figure out and I think we are quite lucky that we have the bye in the second round because that lets us have a bit more time to just reassess.
"But overall, compared to where we were at last year, we're in a better position. The girls from last year are stronger and more skilled and the new girls we've got are better developed.
"It is still going to be a youngish squad but overall I think our depth is better.''
McEwan said the wider squad had been training together weekly since May. The ranks thinned out during the university break but he has a full quota this week.
There will be no warm-up game against Canterbury this season, though. The Canterbury club competition is running too long to fit the regular fixture in.
The Spirit will play a trial match on July 23 and the squad will be announced on July 25.
