The game is doubling as a curtain-raiser for the Otago country final and it is the team’s only pre-season game before it gets its campaign under way against Southland in Invercargill next weekend.
Otago also has games against Tasman and Canterbury and will need to finish in the top two in the South Island pool to qualify for the top half of the tournament.
Coach Luke Herden believes he has assembled a talented squad capable of achieving that goal.
"Personally, I’m quite excited. If we can match teams in the forwards, then I don’t think there are too many teams which will have as much X-factor as our backline," Herden said.
"We have speed, we have skill and we have size. It is a good mix to have and it is just up to us to execute.
"I’m looking for as good, if not better, finish as we managed last year and we got fourth."
University A outside back Taylor Haugh shapes as one of the big threats in the line-up.
He will play at first five-eighth for Otago and Herden believes he his well-equipped for the role.
"I think he has a lot of similarities with Beauden Barrett ... just with his speed and his passing ability.
"He played for the New Zealand touch team so he can make wide and accurate passes. He also threatens the inside defence with his pace."
Otago has two powerful players in the midfield in Hemaua Samasoni and Thomas Umaga-Jensen. Both are expected to have a big impact.
There was plenty of pace on the outside, as well, and the front row shaped as a solid unit, Herden said.
Promising Kaikorai openside flanker Slade McDowall will captain the team and is another player to watch for the future.
● North Otago has drawn the final game on its tour of Canada, 22-22 with British Columbia.
The side was down 15-5 at halftime but came back well in the second half and almost won the game.
Tries were scored by hooker Ralph Darling, midfield back Shae Tucker, lock Kennet O’Neill and prop Dan Towler. Inoke Naufahu added a conversion.
Connor Newlands had a tidy game at fullback for North Otago and forward Sione Misiloi was strong.
The side recorded a win, loss and draw from the tour and will arrive home tomorrow.
Otago under-19
To play Sassenachs Colts
Jona Nareki, Adam Simpson, Hemaua Samasoni, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Malakio Tohi, Taylor Haugh, Connor McLeod, Sam Pene, Slade McDowall (captain), Ben Scorgie, Axel Hohneck, Jack Murray, Teague McElroy, Blake Bradley, Alex Frood. Reserves: Kilipati Lea, Henry Lissamen, Ben Reidy, Daniel Hogan, Daine Lowery, Alex Barnsley, Josh Timu, Josh Buchan, Liam Sharples, Max Pennel, Nick Hegarty, Josh Dahlberg, Jordan McEntee.
