Coach Craig Sneddon announced a squad yesterday that included no fewer than 27 returning players and just three new caps.
A feature is the sheer amount of provincial experience Sneddon will be able to draw upon when the season begins.
Incumbent captain Julia Gorinski has 58 caps and is backed by a solid core including Sheree Hume (63), Tegan Hollows (58), Eilis Doyle (44), Cheyenne Cunningham (42) and Isla Pringle (41).
Add in Matatu halfback Georgia Cormick, Matatu flanker Leah Miles and Black Ferns rookie Maia Joseph, whose test future appears to be at halfback but who has mostly played first five for the Spirit, and inexperience will be no excuse if Otago cannot win the Championship.
"It definitely can’t be a harmful thing, having that much experience there," Sneddon said.
"They know what needs to be done. That’s going to be the plan.
"It’s pretty exciting to look at this squad. Club rugby has been outstanding to watch this year, and we’re excited about the depth that is starting to build.
"Obviously, players who have come from Matatu or have played a lot of FPC rugby know the standard and they bring the others up to it, but at the same time there’s also a lot of talent coming through."
A familiar face is Greer Muir, the midfielder-turned-loose forward who returns to the Spirit after some time off and could add to her record 66 caps, while Lininia Kaufana is back after last playing in 2016.
There is also a familiar surname in the squad.
Dunedin outside back Naomi Sopoaga, the younger sister of former Highlanders and All Blacks first five Lima, is one of the three newcomers.
She has also played basketball at Tauihi level, for the Tokomanawa Queens, and the Wellington product is one to watch.
"She’s got speed and very quick feet and she can score a try," Sneddon said.
Versatile back Milahn Ieremia comes south for her first year of university, having played four games for Auckland as a teenager, and Dunedin loose forward Maddy Sullivan is the third new face.
Sneddon, who will be assisted by Matt Direen, Erik Va’afusuaga and Ryan Griffith, has also named youngsters Hannah Norris, Leila Hill and Rikki Fitzgerald as apprentice players.
Atawhai Hotene, Colleen Carroll and Gemma Millar were unavailable due to injury.
The Spirit finished third in the Championship last year before being beaten in the semifinal.
They will play preseason games against Southland (July 20) and Canterbury (August 3) before their FPC opener against North Harbour away on August 11.
Otago Spirit 2024 squad
Hookers: Hannah Lithgow (University), Paige Church (AU), Tegan Hollows (Big River Country).
Props: Eilis Doyle (AU), Isla Pringle (Big River Country), Lucy Cahill (University), Rebekah Wairau (Dunedin), Vika Piukala (AU).
Locks: Ella Gomez (HSOB), Julia Gorinski (University), Sammie Bean (University).
Loose forwards: Bella Rewiri-Wharerau (AU) Greer Muir (Dunedin), Kayley Johnson (Big River Country), Leah Miles (University), Maddy Sullivan (Dunedin), Rawinia Ngamoki-Moana (Dunedin), Zoe Frood (AU).
Inside backs: Georgia Cormick (AU), Maia Joseph (Dunedin), Lininia Kaufana (Waitaki), Lucy Hall (University), Milahn Ieremia (Dunedin), Sheree Hume (Dunedin).
Midfielders: Cheyenne Cunningham (Waitaki), Keely Hill (Big River Country), Oceana Campbell (Dunedin), Te Atawhai Campbell (Dunedin).
Outside backs: Charlotte Va’afusuaga (AU), Jamie Church (AU), Mia Cochrane (University), Naomi Sopoaga (Dunedin).
