Mooney's Otago XV will take on a Southland Spartans side in Balclutha this afternoon in the first hit-out of the season for the Otago side.
It is a near full-strength Otago side - minus the players who will be in the club final between University A and Alhambra-Union on Saturday - and Mooney for one wants the team to start well in a game which does not have first-class status.
Mooney said it would be good to finally have a side out on the paddock.
"Time always seems to move a bit slowly until you start playing.
The boys themselves have been quite busy whether it be with the Highlanders, the clubs, or with the colts, so they have had plenty of work," Mooney said.
"But it is good to get started and get things under way."
The Spartans have a distinct second string look about them, with Southland opting to rest most of its top liners after a Ranfurly Shield challenge last week, and a club final on Saturday.
Otago has a solid look to its forward pack with experienced players such as captain Alando Soakai, lock Hayden Triggs and prop Kees Meeuws.
Mooney said the first game was always important as it set the standard for the season.
Defensively he wanted the side to show good shape and the players to trust each other.
On attack it was more about running good lines and showing the correct skills in the contact area.
He had no issue with Southland resting most of its top liners, saying he could understand why it did not field a full-strength side.
He said it was more about what was happening with his own side, and how it performed.
Ben Smith, who starred at fullback last year for Otago, would play at centre, and Mooney said this was the position he wanted to play Smith in this season.
"We just think his skills are suited to the midfield. He has obviously got some good footwork and that gets him closer to the action and gets him more involved."
Smith will team up with new signing former Western Force back Josh Tatupu in the midfield.
Former Canterbury winger Chris Small starts at fullback with former Wellington flier Joe Hill on one wing and Ryan Shortland on the other.
There would be changes made during the game, but Mooney said he did want players to get a decent run of play.
Players needed to spend a reasonable amount of time on the park to get a feel for the game.
This is one of just two pre-season matches for Otago - the other match is on July 22 when Tasman visits Carisbrook.
The Otago XV will be rusty and may struggle for combinations.
But the side needs to play well and make a statement for Otago in what is the most critical of seasons.
Taieri No 8 Charlie O'Connell cut his lip at training on Monday and has been replaced by Adam Hill with Simon Knight coming into the reserves.
Pirates centre Marshall Suckling has a corked thigh and has been replaced in the reserves by Harbour outside back George Folau.
Kaikorai No 8 Kensak Palepoi injured his knee on Saturday and is unavailable.
