A squad of 30 was named yesterday for the provincial competition which starts on July 14 when Otago takes on North Harbour at Carisbrook.
Features of the team named by co-coaches Phil Mooney and Andy Hunter are: loose forward Eben Joubert named as captain, the selection of four players capable of playing first five-eighth, young loose forwards TJ Ioane and Gareth Evans named and veterans Kees Meeuws and Tony Brown picked in the squad.
All Black lock Tom Donnelly has b named as vice-captain, although that will change if he makes the national side.
The squad will start training next Wednesday and the bulk of them will play their last game of club rugby today.
No one club dominates the squad and all players signed late last year by Otago, when it went on a recruitment drive, have been named in the squad. Otago finished last in the competition last year and has recruited heavily over the off season.
Hunter said they were excited by the players they could pick and there was a good mix of youth and experience.
"You look at the names there and there are some seasoned players and some exciting new players. From a coaching point of view that is exciting," Hunter said.
"When you look down the list we have, you see personalities with character and certainly some talent too."
Mooney felt the hard work done in recent months meant the side was well ahead of where it was at the same time last year.
"I felt if you look back at last year then that was a whole combination of things which affected our season. This year though is a new year and that is what we are focusing on. We learnt some lessons from last year but it is all about now," Mooney said.
Hunter said the side had momentum already as it had been training hard for months.
"Just the preparedness from the players have been very good. Certainly, the feeling within the group is very, very positive and very strong."
With the shortened competition - Otago will play 10 games in just over six weeks - Hunter said there would be a need for a large squad and players not named yesterday would still be in the picture.
There has been a clean-out with 19 players who played last year not selected. Most had left the province after their contracts were not renewed while others have missed selection.
When asked if players were picked by the board rather than coaches, Hunter said there had been consultation over players between the board and coaches.
"Whatever happened, these are the players we have got and we are happy to work with and get on with the season."
The co-coaches said those unlucky to miss out included Southern No 8 Andrew Stead, Kaikorai midfield back Jayden Spence and University fullback Matt Faddes.
Ben Smith and Adam Thomson were selected but Mooney said the union hoped they were involved in the All Black campaign.
Loose forward Brad Cameron has a long-term Achilles-ankle problem and has just started running again having missed the bulk of the club season. He may be back playing in a month.
Hooker Sam Anderson-Heather has complications from surgery after breaking his leg last year and needs another operation, and is out for the season.
He has been replaced in the squad by the experienced Jason Macdonald.
First five-eighth Hayden Parker is expected to play his first game today since a badly broken leg suffered last season.
Otago has three pre-season games, starting with North Otago in Oamaru on June 25, then Tasman in Nelson on July 3 and Southland in Invercargill on July 8
Otago squad
For ITM Cup
Halani Aulika, Kees Meeuws, James McGougan *, Scott Manson, Liam Coltman, Jason Macdonald, Rob Verbakel *, Daniel Ramsay *, Tom Franklin *, Tom Donnelly, Eben Joubert (captain), Adam Hill *, Daniel Crichton *, Paul Grant, Adam Thomson, Gareth Evans *, Regan Tamihere *, TJ Ioane *, Sean Romans, Johnny Legg, Tony Brown, Hayden Parker, Tony Fenner *, Glenn Dickson, Sam Giddens *, Ben Atiga *, Joe Hill, Hanipale Galo*, Ben Smith, Buxton Popoali'i*.
* - yet to play for Otago.
