It is just seven days until the Ranfurly Shield challenge and Otago will want a good dress rehearsal when it plays Southland in Invercargill today.
The match is the last hit-out for both sides before the Air New Zealand Cup kicks off next week, and will be a good gauge as to where Otago is in relation to its challenge in Wellington next week.
Otago has a near full-strength side, and experienced forwards Tom Donnelly and new captain Alando Soakai get their first starts for the year.
Otago coach Steve Martin said the match was about continuing improvement from the previous weeks and to be accurate and efficient in everything players did.
"It's about doing the things we are doing well and taking the chances that come along."
He said the side had been training particularly well, with plenty of enthusiasm.
Despite the shield challenge only a week away, Martin said there was no talk among the team about that match, and players were just focused on the Southland encounter.
Southland had defeated an inexperienced Canterbury side last week, and will face Waikato in Invercargill in its first game in the Air New Zealand Cup next week.
Martin was impressed with the phase play in his side's close win over Tasman last week, when the ball was freed up quickly and then spread through the backline to launch on to attack.
"Our set piece worked well, both in the line-out and scrum, and that is the key to a good performance."
Otago defeated Tasman 33-32 with a last-minute try, to string together three straight wins in the pre-season after easy wins over Mid Canterbury and North Otago.
But today's match at Rugby Park, which starts at 5.30pm, will be a real test of Otago's form.
Halfback Sean Romans and fullback Ben Smith make welcome returns to the Otago ranks and Smith's performance at fullback will be watched with interest.
The Otago front row will face a serious examination, with Sam Hibbard, Peter Mirrielees and Ben Nolan facing an all-Super 14 front row in Chris King, David Hall and captain Jamie MackintoshSouthland flanker Tim Boys will do battle with his Super 14 rival Soakai.
Otago will travel to Invercargill this morning and return straight after the game.
The match does not have first-class status.
• Otago v Southland
Rugby Park, Invercargill, 5.30pm
Otago: Ben Smith, Karne Hesketh, Brett Mather, Andrew Parata, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Chris Noakes, Sean Romans, Steven Setephano, Alando Soakai (captain), Hoani Matenga, Tom Donnelly, Hayden Triggs, Sam Hibbard, Peter Mirrielees, Ben Nolan.
Reserves: Jason Macdonald, Kees Meeuws, Seko Kalou, Paul Grant, Johnny Legg, Michael Witt, Luke Herden, Sam Young, Eben Joubert.
Southland: Mark Wells, Pehi Te Whare, Kendrick Lynn, Jason Kawau, Matt Saunders, James Wilson, Scott Cowan, Hua Tamariki, Tim Boys, John Hardie, Joe Tuineau, Josh Bekhuis, Jamie Mackintosh (captain), David Hall, Chris King.
Reserves: Jason Rutledge, Fai Mika, Alex Ryan, Tom Fleming, Sonny Rangitoheriri, Robbie Robinson, Seminar Manu, Dave Gannon, Noa Soqeta, Tony Koonwaiyou.
