Anderson (22) will play second five-eighth for Otago Spirit today as it opens its campaign against Wellington at the North Ground.
Anderson has a big job on her plate, having to stop some big Wellington backs, but she is coming off a successful club season, scoring 32 tries for University as it won its first title since 2006.
Now, it is on to the provincial season for Anderson, who is in her fourth year with the Spirit.
''It is hard to know how we are going to go. We have some talented girls in our side but have lost some key players from last year. But everyone has been working hard,'' she said.
Anderson, in her final year of occupational therapy at Otago Polytechnic, first played rugby when she was 11.
Brought up on a farm near Fairlie, she joined her older brother in a Mackenzie junior club team. She then played at Craighead Diocesan School, and made the Hanan Shield side.
Anderson then came south and went straight into the Spirit and there she has stayed, though injury has kept her on the sideline for a period.
In 2007, she injured her right knee skiing and had to have a full reconstruction of her ACL joint. Last year, she had cartilage taken out of her right knee, and it is now ''bone on bone''. Her left knee has also had a full ACL reconstruction because of a rugby injury.
''It does hurt at the end of a game and I put a bit of ice on it. The surgeon said I probably can't play that much longer but I'll keep at it,'' Anderson said.
She prefers to play centre, and played there for University, but will be at second five-eighth today.
Otago had a narrow 8-7 victory over Wellington last year in terrible weather conditions and it should be a close game again today.
The Spirit has lost a lot of experience from last year, with the likes of Kelly Brazier, who is having a break, and Victoria Nafatali, recovering from shoulder surgery, not featuring in the backline.
The women's competition has had a revamp with the inclusion of Taranaki and Counties-Manukau, but perennial champion Auckland and Canterbury again loom as the top sides.
Otago Spirit v Wellington Pride
North Ground, today, noon
Otago Spirit: Haile Hurring (captain), Arna McLeod, Greer Muir, Lucy Anderson, Michaela Baker, Megan Manson, Jenna Aikman, Angie Sisifa, Rachel Scott, Rebecca Todd, Michaela Smith, Zoe Wills, Nicky Crawford, Lucy Emery, Pip Love. Reserves: Jess Tuhega, Lydia Inglis, Maddie Finch, Deidre Roberts, Liv Waldrom, Sheree Hume, Claire Richardson.
Wellington Pride: Katarina Simpkins, Brenda Collins, Maryann Collins, Pauline Piliae, Jessika Akavi, Vaine Marsters, Acacia Claridge, Aimee Sutorious, Kirstin Stewart, Carol Sio, Sanita Levave, Jackie Patea, Muteremoana Aiatu (captain), Sharlene Fagalilo, Tina Kelemete. Reserves: Patsy Schwalger, Noeleen Nonu, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Miriam Ready, Agnes Deans, Kauna Lopa, Elizabeth Golden.
