Mather will line up against Waikato at Carisbrook today, eager to score a victory in a season which, for him, has gone in fits and starts.
Included in the Highlanders squad, Mather (25) did all the gruelling pre-season training, only to get not one minute in the competition.
Through three months of rugby, he never even stripped to get on to the reserves bench, let alone run on to the paddock.
He was one of only two players - lock Ross Kennedy was the other - who missed out on the three-week trip to South Africa and Australia, failing to get past the likes of Jason Shoemark and Johnny Leota.
"It was hard, pretty tough, really. You'd work hard during the week but didn't get the call. There weren't even any injuries from the guys in front of me," Mather said.
"You'd talk to the coaches and they would encourage you. You would sort of feel a bit out of the team. But you've just got to find some positives to work on when you're in that situation."
He played a few club games for his University club and kept us his fitness to prepare for the Otago season.
And though the Air New Zealand Cup had not turned out as planned for Otago, Mather said, there was still plenty to play for.
At least he was getting games, having just missed one match, against Northland, due to a niggling injury caused by a cyst in his ankle.
Mather said the season had been frustrating.
"Obviously it hasn't gone as we would have wanted. We would have liked a few more wins. We've had a lot of close games but we just haven't quite got over the line."
Mather said it was not for a lack of trying, and he felt the backline had been working hard.
"You can see everyone is trying out there and giving it their best. But then something stupid will happen and that might cost us a try and the heads go down."
Former Otago coach and now union board member Wayne Graham had been in for a couple of sessions with the team, Mather said, and that had given the players a lift.
He said the coaches wanted him to work on his defence, and also try to link up with other players when he made a line break.
Despite his experience with the Highlanders, he wanted to get back into the Super 14 team next year. But first would come the final three games of the season.
The side was still eager to perform despite being out of the hunt for the semifinals, he said.
Mather, who comes off contract at the end of the season with Otago (his contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union runs until the end of next year), said Waikato would be a tough opponent.
Otago will have to rely on character and attitude today, as the season is gone.
But it can partially save face with wins in its final three games, all at home.
The side will take heart from its impressive victory over Bay of Plenty at Carisbrook, and if it can bring that vigour and accuracy to today's effort, it may be in with a shout.
OTAGO V WAIKATO - Carisbrook, today, 2.35pm
TAB odds: Waikato $1.55, Otago $2.35
Referee: Chris Pollock (Wellington)
Otago: Ben Smith, Ryan Shortland, Brett Mather, Charlie Hore, Karne Hesketh, Glenn Dickson, Sean Romans, Steven Setephano, Alando Soakai (captain), Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Hayden Triggs, Sam Hibbard, Jason Macdonald, Ben Nolan. Reserves: Peter Mirrielees, Kees Meeuws, Hoani Matenga, Paul Grant, James Kenny, Andrew Parata, Fetu'u Vainikolo.
Waikato: Sosene Anesi, Tim Mikkelson, Jackson Willison, Callum Bruce, Dwayne Sweeney, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Alex Bradley, Jack Lam, Liam Messam (captain), Kevin O'Neill, Toby Lynn, Nathan White, Aled de Malmanche, Hikairo Forbes. Reserves: Ole Avei, Latu Talakai, Romana Graham, Jordan Smiler, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Roimata Hansell-Pune, Henry Speight.
