Big match before reunion panel and dinner

Spirits have been high this week as Otago Rugby built towards today.

It is a special occasion as the union celebrates 25 years of the Otago Spirit name with a reunion this weekend.

Celebrations got under way last night with a gathering at the Otago men’s game against Northland at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

There was a special presentation for Otago stalwart and inaugural captain Helen Littleworth.

But today is packed with two great games and an event tonight to mark the reunion.

Otago under-18 will play a curtain-raiser against Southland at Tahuna Park kicking off at noon.

That will be followed by the big Farah Palmer Cup Championship game between the Otago Spirit and the Taranaki Whio at the same venue.

The Spirit are running hot this season having won all four round-robin games and if they beat the Whio - who are yet to win this season - then the Spirit will book themselves a home semifinal and qualify top of the playoffs.

After the game there will be a function at the Dunedin Rugby Club.

They will host a reunion welcome followed by an interview panel which will include a special moment for the Sopoaga family with current player Naomi, and her mother Vaseti, who played for the Spirit in the 1990s, involved.

The function will wrap up with dinner.