Donnelly is due to announce the Otago Mitre 10 Cup squad today, and although there is a fair sprinkling of Super Rugby experience to come into the squad, the best of the rest was there to see at a still and peaceful night in Waikouaiti.
The Possibles side, which had less experience and many promising youngsters out of Dunedin club rugby, ended up winning the game 32-28 over the Probables, deserving the win as it scored six tries to four.
It led 22-14 at the break and was ahead for all but a period in the first half.
The Probables resembled more of an Otago team, with seasoned Otago players such as Slade McDowall and Hisa Sasagi starting and Josh Hohneck coming off the bench.
But the Possibles team, coached by Japan mentor Jamie Joseph and Southern coach Luke Herden, did not back down and gave as good as it got.
It was more adept as taking the opportunities and if Ben Miller had been more accurate with the boot, the Possibles side would have won by more.
There was plenty of movement in the game and both teams looked to attack at every opportunity.
The Probables scrum was better for most of the game but Possibles loose forwards Sean Jansen and Sean Withy ate up the metres with ball in hand and were also strong on the defensive side of the game.
Donnelly said after the game new signing, former Highlanders No 8 Nasi Manu, was still working his way back into full match fitness and had a slight knee injury. He should be right for the first game of the season.
Another new Otago signing, Will Tucker, got himself round the ground and has plenty of height for a lock.
Otago has just under half a dozen contracts left to hand out to club players for the upcoming season. Plenty put their hand up last night, although the majority of the contracts would have been handed out already.
Jansen helped himself to a couple of tries and was tough to stop near the line.
Winger Freedom Vahaakolo continues his try scoring habit from club rugby and helped himself to two tries, and there appears to be plenty of outside back talent — and that is not even counting Jona Nareki and Vilimoni Koroi.
Referee Jono Bredin played a good advantage, although his whistle gave up near the end and he had to retrieve a spare from his car.
The Possibles showed it meant something to win when, in the last play of the game and having pushed the Probables scrum off the ball and won a penalty, it celebrating with high fives.
The Probables side was coached by Donnelly and his Otago assistants Lee Allan and Ryan Martin.
