A disappointing 55-47 loss to North last weekend has left Otago's campaign teetering and it must beat Canterbury in Invercargill today to keep its national championship prospects alive.
By how much depends on the result of the game between North and Western earlier this afternoon.
If North wins, Otago will need to beat Canterbury by at least six goals to deny it a bonus point in order to advance.
If North loses, a win by any amount will be enough for Otago to make the top four and avoid the relegation matches.
Southland and Auckland Waitakere have secured semifinal berths and will play tonight.
The winner will qualify in top spot.
"It was disappointing last weekend," Otago coach Nicola Jones said.
"But we looked at it like it was a lucky wake up call. It was lucky it happened when it did because it has allowed us to address a number of different issues that we wanted to tidy up."
Otago started well against North but failed to score off enough of its centre passes in the second quarter and surrendered the momentum.
Its options on attack also dried up as North turned up the pressure.
But if Otago can reduce the unforced errors and improve the links through court, Jones is confident her side can advance.
"The girls trained well on Tuesday night and, if we'd played like that in the weekend, we would have been in a different situation. So I'm very positive about the game [today]."
Canterbury started the tournament well with a big win over North and backed up with a narrow victory over Western.
But heavy back-to-back losses to Southland and Auckland Waitakere has dented its chances.
Canterbury has added some strength, with axed Silver Ferns midcourter Maree Bowden joining the side and former Silver Fern defender Anna Galvan also in the squad.
On the negative side of the ledger, Silver Ferns squad member Charlotte Kight is unavailable due to national commitments.
Promising shooters Ellen Halpenny and Sophia Fenwick offer the attack end some firepower, and with experienced defender Victoria Smith also in the mix, Canterbury has a capable looking side.
"Their midcourt was probably their weakness. But I think Maree is going to make a big difference in driving the ball through court."
Otago is blessed with experienced shooters in former Silver Ferns Jo Morrison and Jodi Brown and Jones expects Canterbury will look to cut their supply of ball off.
Otago lack a genuine wing attack and the midcourt has struggled to find its shooters.
Its linking play through court has also been less than impressive at times.
The under-sized defence end, led by goal keep Louise Thayer, has held its own.
Thayer dislocated a finger in the game against North but has recovered, so Jones has a fully fit squad at her disposal.
