The Otago under-21 side has scraped into the semifinals of the age group nationals in Hamilton courtesy of a bonus point, and will play Southland today.
It lost to Waikato 34-35 and would need to lift its game if it was to make the final, coach Helen Bryant said.
"We have not hit our straps yet but we're ready to make the step up [today]," Bryant said.
Southland boasts a talented line-up which includes two Steel players in Te HuingaReo Selby-Rickit and Julianna Naoupu.
Otago has former Silver Fern shooter Jessica Tuki and former Rebels midcourter Emily Close in its ranks.
Close has been in good touch, as has fellow midcourter Hayley Saunders and defender Jess Moulds.
Canterbury and Wellington will meet in the other semifinal.
In the under-19 competition, Otago won both its matches and looks on course to make the semifinals.
It beat Bay of Plenty 40-32 and Waikato Black 32-23 and will play Auckland this morning.
