The Otago B squad has been handed a tough draw but is still aiming high for its upcoming season.
A 28-strong squad was named over the weekend and coach Paul Hessian said the side had a good mix of experience and youth.
Hessian said they were carrying a big squad as the squad had the role of providing players for the A squad and also developing players.
The side includes the four players named as train-on players for the Otago senior side: Andrew Parata, Casey Stone, Sam Hibbard and Carl Anderson.
The side had three warm-up games against Otago Development, Otago Country and Southland B before opening the B competition against Northland in Whangarei.
It then plays Hawkes Bay (home), Auckland (away), Tasman (home), bye, Canterbury (away), and North Harbour (home), in the national competition.
The competition splits into two pools, made up of the 14 unions in the Air New Zealand Cup.
Hessian was expecting the side to make the semifinals at least.
The side had won the competition in 2006 and lost in the semifinals last year.
Playing both Auckland and Canterbury away would not be easy but all sides had depth, with Taranaki winning the competition last year.
He said injured players such as Lewis Hancock and Julius Glasson may come back into contention later in the season.
New Zealand Under-20 lock Josh Townsend was in the B squad, instead of the Otago Colts side, as it was felt he was ready to play at first-class level.
• Three Otago players have been selected for the New Zealand Universities side which plays the United States Universities tomorrow in WellingtonOutside back David Thompson, loose forward Kieran Williams and Townsend have all been selected in the side which will play at the Basin Reserve.
It is the centenary year for New Zealand Universities rugby but a game against its traditional rival Australian Universities fell through.
• Otago referees have made squads to control matches for the representative season.
Todd Pullar has made the national refereeing panel, and will control Heartland Championship matches.
He will also be the assistant referee and third match official for Air New Zealand Cup games.
This will be the third year on the panel for Pullar (35), who said he would ultimately like to be a professional referee.
Tim Baker and Ross Barnett have been appointed to the South Island referees squad, which will control B games and under-20 games.
It is Baker's first year in the squad, while it is Barnett's second year in the squad.
