The Otago development team must keep winning and hope Southland trips up if it is to retain the Lois Muir Challenge trophy it won last year, coach Janine Southby says.
Otago opened its defence with three straight wins but suffered defeat to Southland two weeks ago.
The loss has left Otago's title prospects teetering.
"We basically need to win the remainder of our games and rely on Southland losing," Southby said.
The competition serves as a feeder tournament for the ANZ Championship.
There is no final, with the winner crowned at the end of the round-robin.
Otago has a game against Western today, Canterbury tomorrow and three matches in Rotorua next weekend.
The match against Canterbury is the curtain-raiser for the ANZ Championship game between the Southern Steel and the Canterbury Tactix, although it will be played on the No 4 court.
Western shapes as the biggest challenge, though.
It has three classy shooters in Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Amber Bellringer and Alannah Cassidy.
Bellringer played for the Pulse last season and Te Paea, sister of Steel defender Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, is highly-rated.
"She [Te Paea] is probably one of the taller players in the country at the moment and is quite a target. And they've got this young girl, Alannah Cassidy, who is part of the under-21 programme, so she's very good."
New Zealand under-21 player Jodi Beaumont will lead Western's defence.
Otago will build its game around shooter Greir Campbell, midcourter Emily Close and goal keep and captain Jessica Moulds.
Shooter Ellen Halpenny could have a busy day.
She has been named in the Canterbury development side as well as the Tactix squad.
"I guess it is probably an opportunity for the Tactix to give her some court time. She is still a young, developing player, so it is vital they get that court time," Southby said.
