Shorn of its two biggest stars, the Otago Spirit will be hoping to take the game to its northern neighbour in Temuka today.
With the women's national championship mothballed this year, the Otago side has just two games, both against Canterbury.
Spirit coach John Kyle said his side had a solid front row, a quality loose trio and some exciting young backs.
With Black Ferns Carla Hohepa and Kelly Brazier away at the World Cup in England, the onus would go on other players to step up and create opportunities.
As the pair were gamebreakers, the team would have to try a different approach in their absence, Kyle said.
He said with playing just the two games, the side could have approached the game with a relaxed attitude but wanted to treat it seriously and had trained hard.
Fitness levels were good, he said, as selection was based on players having good match fitness.
Youngster Victoria Nafatali will start at first five-eighth, with Zoey Berry on the inside.
The Otago front row is solid, anchored by captain Beth Mallard, while loose forwards Rachel Scott and Georgie Gane will provide a strong defensive screen.
Otago's biggest handicap is lack of play.
Canterbury has a slight advantage there, having had a game against an invitation side last weekend.
Canterbury has lost six players to the national side but still has two gamebreakers in captain Amiria Rule and Olivia Coady.
A knee injury kept Rule out of the World Cup but she has returned to full fitness.
The Canterbury side is coached by former Otago player Sarah Helmore.
The two sides will meet again on September 11.
Otago v Canterbury
Temuka, today, 2.30pm
Otago: Charlotte Brock, Natahlia Darling, Chloe Trubshoe, Rebecca Chittock, Nikitia Fitzgerald, Victoria Nafatali, Zoey Berry, Georgie Gane, Rachel Scott, Sam Stewart, Michaela Smith, Nicky Crawford, Beth Mallard (captain), Rachel Ovens, Ngamamae Rapata.
Reserves: Farryn Crawford, Gemma Tuhega, Angie Sisifa, Leyhana van Vugt, Maxine McInnes, Lucy Anderson, Jaimie Greene.
Canterbury: Kylie Nieuwenhuyzen, Erica Prescott, Hollie Griffith, Amiria Rule (captain), Lucy Ryan, Kyla Butcher, Diane Hiini, Olivia Coady, Kiri Mei, Jessica McCormick, Stacey Anderson, Emma Smith, Mel Reid, Milly Deans, Val Evans.
Reserves: Anita Boyd, Angela Woolley, Vanessa Hensley, Hayley Rossiter, Chelsea Smart, Danielle Gaze, Ruby Tui.
