Though it was good to get rid of the cobwebs and free the legs against an under-manned Southland Spartans side last week, when the 59-7 result was an indication of the quality of the opposition, there is no doubt the serious business starts this afternoon.
Tasman is a quality opponent and has played above itself in the past couple of seasons.
Otago has its final warm-up match before the opening game in the ITM Cup, against Counties-Manukau in Pukekohe on July 31.
The merits of warm-up matches are debatable - win well and all is good, while a loss can be written off by saying the result is not an issue.
For Otago, this match provides an opportunity to show it can do the simple things well, show some combinations and make the most of chances that come along.
The team has been guilty in recent years of not taking its opportunities.
Players such as No 8 Paul Grant, prop Sam Hibbard and halfback Sean Romans - handed the captaincy reins - need to hit the ground running.
Otago coach Phil Mooney said all 25 players named would be given a run, but he wanted players to show they were ready and keen to make the squad for next week.
He said warm-up games enabled players put trust in the systems they had been working on in training.
Mooney felt the side's attack was not tested too much last week and said more work was needed on defence.
In particular, more accuracy was needed in the tackle.
"The set piece also needs to take a pretty big step forward."
The scrums last week against the Spartans were a mess, as both sides had problems with the engagement call.
The game is still won or lost up front and pressure will go on props Hibbard and veteran Kees Meeuws to hold a steady scrum for Otago.
With first-choice loosehead prop Ben Nolan struggling with a knee injury, Otago does not have huge depth in the propping department.
Mooney will name his 28-strong squad for the provincial championship at the official launch tomorrow.
Tasman, which will fly down and back home on match day, has former All Black lock Chris Jack as its captain.
Reds No 8 Tasi Luafutu, who scored two tries against the Highlanders earlier this season, will start for his new province, while Kade Poki, who had a injury-ridden Super 14, is on the right wing.
Television match officials (TMOs) will return to rugby's national provincial championship beginning next week, the New Zealand Rugby Union told NZPA yesterday.
TMOs were a victim of budget cuts last year, but NZRU professional rugby general manager Neil Sorensen said feedback from unions and fans had been clear: "They wanted us to find a solution."
A sideline match official will take on the role of TMO and have use of a television monitor for replays if required by the match referee.
