The Otago Spirit backline has been shorn of two of its key women for the Farah Palmer Cup Championship semifinal against Northland tomorrow.
Both experienced fullback Sheree Hume and speedy midfielder Keely Hill will miss the game in Whangarei due to injury.
Hume injured her knee in the dying minutes of the 39-13 win over North Harbour in the quarterfinal, her record 70th appearance for the Spirit.
Her absence means youngster Charlotte Va’afusuaga moves from the right wing to fullback, and Atawhai Hotene comes off the bench to start on the wing.
Hill suffered a head knock against North Harbour and is serving a 12-day stand-down period.
Regular outside back Oceana Campbell will start at second five for her 15th and blazer game.
Rawinia Ngamoki-Moana — for a potential debut — and Lucy Hall are new faces on the bench.
The forwards are unchanged except at lock, where Ella Gomez swaps with Kayley Johnson.
Otago Spirit
To play Northland
Charlotte Va’afusuaga, Atawhai Hotene, Cheyenne Cunningham, Oceana Campbell, Jamie Church, Maia Joseph, Georgia Cormick, Bella Rewiri-Wharerau, Leah Miles, Zoe Whatarau, Julia Gorinski (captain), Ella Gomez, Eilis Doyle, Tegan Hollows, Pesalini Lave-Heehau. Reserves: Hannah Lithgow, Paige Church, Isla Pringle, Kayley Johnson, Grace Hastie, Abigail Paton, Rawinia Ngamoki-Moana, Lucy Hall.
