Nothing should be read into the Otago starting line-up named for the Southland game tomorrow night.
Every player in the squad has a chance of being named in the 22 for the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Wellington.
"It is still an open book," assistant coach Bruce Carvell said after the team was named yesterday.
"We have told the squad that everyone still has a chance.
"The players need to show us in Invercargill that they have what it takes to play against Wellington."
Carvell said that there was a positive feeling in the squad that was encouraging to the coaching staff.
"Everyone is excited about pushing their claims to be included in the 22 for the Ranfurly Shield game."
A feature of the starting line-up to play Southland is the inclusion of six players from the University A team.
It includes the inside back combination of Sean Romans and Chris Noakes and the midfield combination of Andrew Parata and Brett Mather.
Students in the forwards are Hoani Matenga and Sam Hibbard.
No player in the squad for the Southland game will be released to play club rugby on Saturday.
"We have done very hard and intense training over the last two weeks," Carvell said.
"We want the team to freshen up for the Ranfurly Shield challenge."
The Otago team wants to keep the winning habit in Invercargill.
"We also want the players to show us that they are keen to play against Wellington by the energy and effort they display against Southland," Carvell said.
"We also want to continue developing the playing pattern we have developed in the other warm-up games."
Players not available because of injury are Aaron Bancroft (ankle), Lucky Mulipola (calf muscles), Ryan Shortland (hamstring) and Glenn Dickson (collarbone).
The Highlanders front row of Chris King, David Hall and Jamie Mackintosh has been named in the Southland team.
Jason Rutledge, another Highlander this year, has been named on the bench.
Otago v Southland, Invercargill, tomorrow night
Otago: Ben Smith, Karne Hesketh, Brett Mather, Andrew Parata, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Chris Noakes, Sean Romans (vice-captain), 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, 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.
Six Varsity A players in starting XV
