The aim is to get the new-look team used to playing within an agreed structure.
"We want to play to the game plan we have been working on for the last five or six weeks," co-coach Andy Hunter said before today's game against North Otago in Oamaru.
The aim is to develop combinations and get team members used to playing with new team-mates.
"We want the basics to be done well and the players to be accurate and intense in what they do," Hunter said. "It will give us something to build on."
The game will be played in four 20-minute spells with the coaches able to switch players after each break.
Otago intends to adopt a gain line-dominated approach to its ITM Cup campaign.
"We will play nice and direct and allow play to come off that," Hunter said. "We will concentrate on getting an accurate set piece, dominate the gain line and allow players flair to come after that to stretch our opponents."
The team will go back to the traditional style that made Otago one of the strongest rugby provinces in New Zealand.
"We have to be strong and uncompromising up front, intense with our tackling and dominate the game line," Hunter said.
The warm-up matches will give the four goal-kicking contenders - Tony Brown, Tony Fenner, Hayden Parker and Glenn Dickson - the chance to stake their claim for the top spot.
"We have a wealth of choice on tap at the moment," Hunter said. "We don't have any favourite at this stage."
Hunter indicated the nod could be determined by the specialist positions of the contenders.
There are 13 new players in the Otago squad today.
"We are a very new team but we still have a lot of experience with Tony Brown, Kees Meeuws and Daniel Ramsay and the Highlanders when they come back," Hunter said.
"I'm very happy with the tone of the team atmosphere. I can't wait to get started."
There is competition within the 30-strong squad and the selectors will give them the opportunity in the warm-up games to "put their hand up at the right time and dominate their position".
They will all get game time against North Otago today to claim a spot in the squad of 24 that will travel to the second warm-up game against Tasman in Nelson next weekend.
"It will give our coaching group the opportunity to assess the merits of the players in the squad," Hunter said.
It is just over a week since the Otago squad was named and Hunter has been pleased with the attitude of the players.
"There is an excellent attitude and the training ethic has been without fault," Hunter said. "We are still in the early stages of creating our team culture. It is being led by the senior players. Everyone is itching to get on the paddock in games."
Otago v North Otago
- Oamaru, today, 2.30pm
• Otago: Tony Fenner, Buxton Popoalii, Ben Atiga, Glenn Dickson, Joe Hill, Hayden Parker, Johnny Legg, Paul Grant, Adam Hill, Gareth Evans, Rob Verbakel, Daniel Ramsay (captain), James McGougan, Liam Coltman, Scott Manson.
Reserves: Jason Macdonald, Kees Meeuws, Halani Aulika, Tom Franklin, Regan Tamihere, TJ Ioane, Daniel Crichton, Sean Romans, Tony Brown, Jayden Spence, Matt Faddes.
• North Otago: Billy Guyton, Christoph Bart, Faaitu Tuamoheloa, Lemi Masoe, Kariatiana Vette-Welsh, Ben Patston, Kilifi Fangupo, Josh Collier, Carn Parata, Manu Taiti, Eric Duff, Dylan Winter, Rob Mafaleo, Sam Sturgess, Ralph Darling.
Reserves: Harry Fry, Palenapa Mafi, Palavi Tahaape, Cameron Rowland, Grant Isbister, Jamie Rhodes, Hamish McKenzie, Kasanova Soane, Nathan Oakes, Chris Talanoa.
