A solid performance against Northland at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday in its opening game of the ITM Cup showed Otago has some talent. And it was a win.
But it now has to take on one of the big boys, in Rotorua tonight.
Bay of Plenty is up in the premiership and among the starting XV has eight Super 15 players. Compare that with just four Super 15 players in the Otago line-up and it shows the visiting side will have to punch above its weight.
Otago coach Tony Brown is backing a style of playing at speed when the chances come along and has the players to make that style work.
Men such as winger Buxton Popoali'i, halfback Fumiaki Tanaka and lock Rob Verbakel can get round the field and make plays.
Brown said his game plan was not attack at all costs, but was about picking the right time when to go all-out with the ball.
"There is plenty of room in our game for intelligent kicking. But when we get the chance, we want to attack at speed and move the ball quickly to make the most of the opportunity," Brown said.
"Playing at the stadium gives us conditions which allow us to play our game. A night game up in Rotorua may be a bit more dewy and conditions could be slippery but we still want to attack."
Brown was pleased with the option-taking on Saturday night and was looking for that to continue tonight.
He was wary, though, of a solid Bay of Plenty side which disappointed in its first game last Saturday, falling 37-22 to Taranaki.
"They are a really good side who play some good attacking rugby. We've got to be strong on defence and have good line speed."
The game may come down to a battle between two talented loose forward trios.
Bay of Plenty has the explosive Sam Cane, backed by the experienced Tanerau Latimer and the hard-grafting Luke Braid.
Otago, on the other hand, has All Black Adam Thomson, and a couple of promising talents in Hugh Blake and Gareth Evans.
It is Blake's first-class debut and will be a tough baptism but much has been said about his promise.
Evans and Blake play club rugby together so will at least have that combination to fall back on, while Thomson's all-round game will be invaluable for the side. Back at blindside flanker he should have a big impact on the game.
The likely insertion of TJ Ioane off the bench could also boost the Otago cause later in the game.
The clash between wingers Lelia Masaga - who turns 26 today - and Popoali'i should be a highlight. Both are bustling wingers, know the way to the tryline and pop up all over the park.
First five-eighth Chris Noakes, who played 26 games for Otago from 2007-10, and the Highlanders this year, has been ruled out with a groin injury. He has been replaced by Nick McCashin, who was the leading points scorer in Bay of Plenty club rugby this season.
The two sides did not play each other last year. Bay of Plenty won the 2010 game, 40-30 in Rotorua.
The weather is expected to be cloudy but dry in Rotorua tonight.
Otago v Bay of Plenty
Rotorua, tonight, 7.35pm
Referee: Shaun Elliot (Auckland)
TAB odds: Bay of Plenty $1.52, Otago $2.40
Otago: Ben Smith, Jayden Spence, Tamati Ellison, Glenn Dickson, Buxton Popoali'i, Hayden Parker, Fumiaki Tanaka, Gareth Evans, Hugh Blake, Adam Thomson, Rob Verbakel, Paul Grant (captain), Aki Seuli, Sam Anderson-Heather, Tama Tuirirangi.
Reserves: Liam Coltman, Shota Horie, Tom Franklin, TJ Ioane, Brad Weber, Peter Breen, Tony Ensor.
Bay of Plenty: Kendrick Lynn, Lelia Masaga, Mafi Kefu, Phil Burleigh, Lance MacDonald, Nick McCashin, Jamie Nutbrown (captain), Luke Braid, Sam Cane, Tanerau Latimer, Leon Power, Cullum Retallick, Mike Kainga, Dan Perrin, Tristan Moran.
Reserves: Nathan Harris, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Keepa Mewett, Carl Axtens, Lewis Hancock, Simon Rolleston, Jack Wilson.
