No matter what happens to the Otago Spirit against the Auckland Storm today, one thing is for sure - the side will gain in experience.
Otago Spirit coach Duncan McEwan has dug deeper into the reserves of Otago women's rugby as injuries continued to mount up after Otago's 55-24 loss to Counties-Manukau last week.
If prop Gabrielle Tili and inside back Renaye Flockton make it on to University Oval No2 from the reserves bench, they will be the ninth and 10th new caps for Otago this season.
''It's been one of those seasons,'' McEwan said.
Five players are unavailable through injury, while prop Gemma Tuhega and halfback Diedre Roberts have long-standing family commitments, although Tuhega suffered a head knock last week.
Marilie Mostert replaces Tuhega at tighthead prop and a backline reshuffle means Larissa Muir starts on the right wing and Kilisitina Moata'ane at centre.
Summer van Loenhout takes Roberts' spot as the reserve halfback, and former Otago netballer Renaye Flockton, who has played sevens for Otago, will be the other reserve back.
Auckland has won all five of its matches, averaging 55.6 points per game and conceding only 8.8 on defence.
McEwan will not be seeing the scoreboard as the barometer of his team's performance, however.
''The mental approach we've had all season is not focusing so much on the results but focusing on trying to increase the length of execution of our game plan and the effectiveness of execution,'' he said.
The Spirit will look to shift the ball away from the powerful Auckland forwards rather than engage the big pack.
''Against particularly the bigger teams, the set piece, breakdown and inside channels are their world - their big bodies and power come into play.
''Our world is quick ball, shift it to middle and width and attack through those channels, and get the ball alive and moving. The longer we can essentially play in our world, and the less we play in their world, the longer we can normally execute.''
Injuries and defections earlier in the year have made for a tough season, but the future is looking brighter for the Spirit.
''We lost a lot of players over the summer last year, but by the looks of it, we'll be retaining almost all of our players for next season.
"We may lose a couple but not many, which is what this year is all about. We're spending quite a bit of time planning the off-season development programme for the girls.''
Auckland will be without Black Ferns loose forward Linda Itunu, injured in the 101-0 victory over Bay of Plenty last weekend, but welcomes back blindside flanker Charlene Halapua.
Ruahei and Kiritapu Demant are both in the backline after missing last week's clash and Emma Jensen is set to make her return from injury off the bench.
Otago v Auckland
Uni Oval No2, today, noon
Otago Spirit: Olivia Waldron, Larissa Muir, Kilisitina Moata'ane, Sheree Hume, Greer Muir, Michaela Baker, Megan Manson, Angie Sisifa, Madeleine Finch, Julia Gorinski, Syreeta Norris, Epe Elisara, Marilie Mostert, Tegan Hollows, Eilis Doyle. Reserves: Kelly Whitten, Gabrielle Tili, Kate Smith, Zoe Whatarau, Mary Jane Kivalu, Summer Van Loenhout, Renaye Flockton.
Auckland Storm: Tiana Ngawati, Natahlia Debnorah-Moors, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Onjuerlina Leiataua, Kiritapu, Ruahei Demant, Dayna Harris, Shannon Willoughby, Lydia Crossman, Charlene Halapua, Shannon Leota, Eloise Blackwell, Aleisha Nelson, Fiao'o Fa'amausili, Aimee Lensen. Reserves: Amy Robertshaw, Doris Taufateau, Rebecca Todd, Charmaine McMenamin, Alaiumu Sao-Taliu, Makineti Hufanga, Emma Jensen.
