There is a new name at first five, though.
Australian-born Tongan first five Patrick Pellegrini has joined the cause.
He has also signed with the Highlanders.
There is a touch of irony in it all.
It is an open secret that Cameron Millar is joining the Blues next season, so Pellegrini is essentially taking Millar’s spot at the Highlanders but will likely play back-up to him with the Otago team.
Pellegrini’s Moana Pasifika team-mate Joel Lam has also moved to Otago.
That was well signposted.
With Nathan Hasite moving on and star halfback Dylan Pledger out for the season, Otago have brought in two new No 9s - Lam and Kieran McClea, who has previously played for Otago and North Otago, but was most recently with Mid Canterbury.
Lam will have first dibs on the jersey. He is from Christchurch and joined the Crusaders Global Academy straight out of school.
He switched to rugby league last year but returned to union when he was named in the Samoan squad for the Pacific Nations Cup.
Powerful Fijian Joseva Tamani returns for a second season. He is a strong ball carrier and a valued member of the pack.
Outside back Jae Broomfield featured in all 13 games for Otago last season and is back for another shot at glory.
Fullback Sam Gilbert, lock Will Tucker and midfielder Thomas-Umaga Jensen all have overseas contracts.
Pledger is listed in the squad but is not expected to play. He is recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
They will be sorely missed, but Otago has assembled a very decent squad.
They have an embarrassment of riches in the front row, including George Bower, Saula Ma’u, Abraham Pole, Rohan Wingham, Henry Bell and Liam Coltman.
Hooker Nic Souchon is also training with the squad but does not have a full contract.
The locking stocks are a little lean in the absence of Tucker. But there is some hope Fabian Holland may play the odd game before he joins the All Blacks later in the year.
Lucas Casey had a breakout year and he will be joined in the loose by Christian Lio-Wille, who keeps returning year after year despite living in Christchurch, and the likes of Will Stodart and Oliver Haig.
Otago will lean on Finn Hurley and Jona Nareki to generate some magic out wide, while midfielder Josh Timu is an experienced hand.
• See tomorrow’s paper for comments from Otago coach Mark Brown.
NPC
Otago squad: George Bower, Saula Ma’u, Abraham Pole, Rohan Wingham, Ben Lopas, Moana Takataka, Henry Bell, Liam Coltman, A-One Lolofie, Fabian Holland, Joseva Tamani, Harry Irving, Christian Lio-Willie, Will Stodart, Oliver Haig, Lucas Casey, Slade McDowall, Dylan Pledger, Joel Lam, Kieran McClea, Cameron Millar, Patrick Pellegrini, Jake Te Hiwi, Josh Timu, Josh Whaanga, Jona Nareki, Finn Hurley, Jae Broomfield, Sam Nemec-Vial.
