The Otago Spirit will certainly have a fresh look this season.
The team was announced yesterday and rookies account for almost 50% of the squad.
"As always with Otago it is one of those moving feasts,'' coach Duncan McEwan said.
"In our 30-player squad we've got 14 uncapped Otago players. Last year we had 11 and I thought that was a young squad.
"I think we've lost about six starting players from last year and for a variety of reasons.''
Among the missing are loosehead prop Nicola Crawford and halfback Sam Wong.
They have both headed overseas. Lock Epe Elisara is busy with family commitments, while speedy outside back Rian Sanerive is focusing on her education.
Her express pace is a big loss.
English winger Hollie Fraser has returned to the United Kingdom but is keen to return next season, and experienced fullback Sheree Hume and lock Syreeta Norris are also unavailable.
"It is a significant portion of the squad which has had changes. But that is the reality of rugby down here. Women's rugby is not professional and you just have to roll with it.
"That said, I'm very, very happy with the squad that we've got. I think the quality of the players is really high.''
On the positive side of the ledger, United States first five-eighth Hannah Stolba broke her ankle during the club season but is not far off making a return to the field.
Hooker Paige Church returns to the fold after an absence, and winger Kathryn Kibby is an exciting talent with terrific pace.
But the team is built around a strong loose forward trio of Angie Sisifa, Georgia Mason and Rachel Ovens.
Hooker Tegan Hollows and lock Julia Gorinski are expected to have an impact, and prop Gemma Tuhega has plenty of experience.
In the backs, Greer Muir and Kilisitina Moata'ane will pair up in the midfield.
The versatile Megan Manson will play halfback and is one to watch.
First five-eighth Michaela Baker returns from a stint in the United States in late August and is a talented pivot with a big future.
"I think our starting XV is pretty strong. We've got players who have played a few years and are very talented.''
The Spirit will prepare for its opening game of the season against Manawatu in Palmerston North on August 6 with a series of internal drills.
It traditionally plays Canterbury in a warm-up game but the club season in Christchurch will finish too late for the fixture to take place.
Otago Spirit
Squad
Michaela Baker, Paige Church, Genevieve Cockburn, Eilis Doyle, Sophie Dyhrberg, Madeleine Finch, Raewyn Gregory-Hunt, Julia Gorinski, Tegan Hollows, Patricia Hopcroft, Lininia Kaufana, Jessica Kendall, Nicole Kennedy, Kathryn Kibby, Megan Manson, Georgia Mason, Georgina McCullough, Kilisitina Moata'ane, Greer Muir, Rachel Ovens, Grace Schrader, Kirsten Shalosky, Angie Sisifa, Hannah Stolba, Gemma Tuhega, Annemieke van Vliet, Olivia Waldron, Morgan Walker, Kiana Wereta, Zoe Whatarau.
