Hold on to the ball - that is the message from Otago Spirit coach John Hyde to his players before today's crucial national provincial championship clash against Waikato at the University Oval.
The Spirit returns to the competition after a bye last week, but Waikato was busy while Otago rested, toppling Canterbury 32-23 - one week after Canterbury dismantled Otago 51-15.
Last week's result leaves Waikato and Canterbury tied for second on 20 points, one point ahead of Otago, and Hyde said the first step towards winning today's game was ball retention.
''For us in that Canterbury game, we had some difficulty around ball retention and getting skinned on the outside so we've been doing a bit of work on making sure that we don't get ourselves into that position,'' he said.
''We had good territory and good possession but our turnovers were just way too high.
''A lot of our work has been making sure that we get rid of those mistakes. If we hold the ball a bit longer, those things should come right.''
The Canterbury threat came on the fringes, but Hyde expects most backline pressure from Waikato to come closer in.
''They're pretty strong in the midfield backs and their forward pack is competitive as well so we've got to match them up front.
''We've just got to get up and make sure we don't fall off any tackles.''
Hyde has made just a few minor tweaks to the team which lined up against Canterbury. Michaela Baker moves back from the midfield to the right wing, Claire Richardson comes on to the left wing, and Kilisitana Moata'ane takes up the second five-eighth duties.
The forward pack remains unchanged and, in the only change on the reserves bench, Samarra Soper slots into the outside back slot.
Hyde said the side appreciated the week's break after three away games in the first five weeks, despite a lack of serious injuries.
''We've been pretty good actually, but it's like anything. People's bodies get a bit tired after a few games,'' he said.
''We gave them the weekend off to get them away from rugby.''
While Waikato's win over Canterbury gave a hint of its firepower, Hyde was not reading too much into the result.
''You can't read too much into it really. Canterbury, when they came down here, were really up for that game with the occasion at the stadium and all of those things.
''I haven't actually seen the Waikato game yet, but we'll certainly have a look at where they did the damage.''
Otago Spirit v Waikato
University Oval 2, today, 2.30pm
Otago: Sheree Hume, Michaela Baker, Greer Muir, Kilisitina Moata'ane, Claire Richardson, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, Megan Manson, Angie Sisifa (captain), Georgia Mason, Rebecca Todd, Epe Elisara, Michaela Smith, Gemma Tuhega, Lucy Emery, Phillipa Love. Reserves: Kelly Whitten, Sophie Kuper, Julia Gorinski, Zoe Whatarau, Madeleine Finch, Deirdre Roberts, Samarra Soper.
Waikato: Chyna Hohepa, Honey Hireme, Stacey Waaka, Chelsea Alley, Huia Harding, Ariana Bayler, Patricia Garcia, Toka Natua, Lesley Ketu, Michelle Montague, Victoria Edmonds, Carrie Lobb, Sosoli Talawadua, Teresa Te Tamaki, Rochelle Smiler. Reserves: Ginia Muavae, Analisa Tyrell, Lydia Dickins, Kelly McLeod, Ilaise Fakalelu Tomu, Arna McLeod, Waimoana Fotofili.
