A Sassenachs team has been picked from the Otago squad for the trial match against the Southland-based Spartans.
''We are trying to get some combinations playing together,'' Otago assistant coach Phil Young told the Otago Daily Times.
''They have been playing in different club teams and we are slowly giving them game time together. It's a good opportunity for key combinations to come together in a match.''
The objective of the game is to keep the squad playing rugby. Only players from Taieri and University A are in action today in the Dunedin club final.
''We want to keep players in the squad playing rugby,'' Young said.
''We want the team to have match play to get used to the structures that have been put in place.''
Head coach Tony Brown and Young will talk about team goals when the whole squad comes together for training next week.
''We will define our goals and team structures during a three-day camp in Alexandra next week,'' Young said. Newcomers in the run-on team tomorrow are props Donald Brighouse and Hisa Sasagi, locks Jackson Hemopo and Joe Latta, flanker Hadleigh May, halfback Nick Ealey and winger Sean Conner.
Latta, a former New Zealand under-20 representative, returned to Dunedin this year and made his mark for Zingari-Richmond in the club competition.
The Sassenachs will be captained by Lee Allan, who has played 21 games for Otago, and the vice-captain is Breen, who has played 24 games.
The most experienced player in the team is flanker TJ Ioane, who has played for the Highlanders over the last two years.
All 25 members of the Sassenachs squad will get time on the field tomorrow.
''There will be an opportunity for the young fellows to get out there and express themselves,'' Young said.
''We don't have any set time in the game to make the changes. We just want them to get out on the field and have a game with each other and combine in partnerships.''
Young is confident about the prospects of the Otago team this year.
''It will be the third year in the squad for quite a few of the players. Two years ago, they were young bucks, but they now have a couple of years under their belt.
''We have more depth in the team now. Both Tony and me are very happy with the squad we have got.''
Sassenachs v Spartans: Forsyth Barr Stadium, tomorrow, 2pm
Sassenachs: Tony Ensor, Marshall Suckling, Jayden Spence, Tei Walden, Sean Conner, Peter Breen, Nick Ealey, TJ Ioane, Hadleigh May, Lee Allan, Joe Latta, Jackson Hemopo, Hisa Sasagi, Sam Anderson-Heather, Donald Brighouse. Reserves: Mike Mata'afa, George Bower, Ricky Riccitelli, Loti Eliota Tonga, Adam Knight, Kyle Harris, Matt Te Tana, Greg Dyer, Lachie Moore, Josh Ioane.
Spartans (from): Tayler Adams, Liam Howley, Jaye Thompson, Afi Peteru, Lolo Loco, Otulea Katoa, Bryan Milne, Ryan Evans, Junior Ngalufe, Michael Molloy, Mark Jackman, Michael Petersen, Tony Keresoma, Morgan Mitchell, Marlo Magele, Talemaitaga Tuapati, Craig Smith, Jack Jones, Michael Fatialofa, Brenton Howdon, Tim Boys, Billy Soper, Bill Fukofuka, Michael Stewart.
