Tall Ferns forward Samara Gallaher is a surprise inclusion in the 10-strong squad, which will play six games over the next three days.
The 22-year-old former Kavanagh College pupil has been playing for the Hume City Broncos in the Big V competition in Melbourne.
''I hadn't been talking to her, but she made contact and said she was able to come back for this weekend,'' Goldrush coach Todd Marshall said.
''It's great. She's a really strong player, highly skilled and a current Tall Fern. So it's a fantastic addition to our squad going into these six games.''
Gallaher helped the the Broncos win a second consecutive league title last year, and is a valuable member of the team.
Her inclusion in the Goldrush squad this weekend further boosts a team already high on confidence after its 4-1 start to the competition.
Along with Tall Fern Jillian Harmon, the Goldrush now possesses a couple of forwards capable of dominating the opposition inside.
Harmon has been impressive in her first five games for the side, and was instrumental in a 67-61 overtime win against the Canterbury Wildcats at the Edgar Centre last weekend.
The Goldrush, which is third behind the Capital Flyers (6-1) and Waikato Wizards (5-1), is now a good few days in Christchurch away from qualifying for the top six for the final tournament in Porirua next month.
On paper, its toughest games look to be against the Flyers and Nelson Sparks, but Marshall is not taking any teams lightly.
''It's pretty hard to single anybody out. All of our games are going to be quite competitive. We know we have got six games on the trot this weekend,'' he said.
''We do have to be aware of managing the players to get through it, but I've got to say fitness is one of our strengths.''
The Goldrush had a ''good'' week of training and the squad is fully fit for the all-important next few days, Marshall said.
Otago's first game is against the defending champion Harbour Breeze this morning.
Otago Goldrush
The squad
Janet Main (captain), Jillian Harmon, Soraya Umaga-Jensen, Natalie Smith, Grace Allan, Grace Love, Bronwyn Kjestrup, Anita Snowdon, Aleisha Ruske, Samara Gallaher.
Draw
Today: 8.30am, v Harbour Breeze (3-3); 1.45pm, v Tauranga City Coasters (0-6).
Tomorrow: 9am, v Auckland-Counties Manukau Lady Hawks (4-3); 9am, v Capital Flyers (5-1).
Sunday: 8.30am, v Waitakere Lady Rangers (4-2); 2.30pm, v Nelson Sparks (4-1).
