Some of the changes are by necessity as injury has ruled out loose forwards Greer Muir and Zoe Frood, who have started all three games in the Farah Palmer Cup this season.
The rather eye-opening selection for the Spirit’s game against Taranaki in New Plymouth tomorrow is that of experienced hooker Tegan Hollows at the back of the scrum.
Hollows has almost exclusively been in the front row in her 61 games for Otago, but she did start an FPC game at No8 three years ago.
In an entirely rejigged loose trio, Bella Rewiri-Wharerau moves from blindside to openside, and Kayley Johnson is at blindside for her first start since starting three games at lock last season.
Dynamic youngster Hannah Lithgow starts in Hollows’ place at hooker, and Paige Church supplants Rebekah Wairau at tighthead prop.
The sole change in the backs is on the right wing, where Oceana Campbell returns for sister Te Atawhai.
Milahn Ieremia is in line to make her debut off the bench.
Otago Spirit team To play Taranaki
Charlotte Va’afusuaga, Oceana Campbell, Cheyenne Cunningham, Keely Hill, Jamie Church, Sheree Hume, Georgia Cormick, Tegan Hollows, Bella Rewiri-Wharerau, Kayley Johnson, Julia Gorinski (captain), Sammie Bean, Paige Church, Hannah Lithgow, Eilis Doyle. Reserves: Leila Hill, Isla Pringle, Rebekah Wairau, Ella Gomez, Rawinia Ngamoki-Moana, Milahn Ieremia, Naomi Sopoaga, Lucy Hall.
