Now, it has to show how much it has learned in five days when it takes on Southland in Balclutha this afternoon.
There can be no hiding the fact that Otago is short on experience this year.
Southland reserve hooker Jason Rutledge has played more games for Southland than the number of appearances in the blue and gold jersey made by the entire Otago team.
The whys, whos and hows of Otago ending up in this predicament could be debated well into the night.
But it is what it is, and Otago needs to get up to speed quickly on how the game is played at this level. Southland will be as good an examination as any.
The Otago side has some exciting players with the likes of Buxton Popoal'i and Matt Faddes on the wings and a young midfield pairing of Michael Collins and Jayden Spence.
Captain Paul Grant appears to have come on in the past 12 months, while there is plenty to admire in flankers Gareth Evans and TJ Ioane.
Up front, locks Rob Verbakel and Justin Ives are fairly green at this level, while the front row is solid and the experience of Tama Tuirirangi is vital.
But excitement and potential go only so far.
Otago needs to get better at the way the game is played.
Tasman gave a good lesson in that last Sunday with its 42-22 victory over Otago, and this afternoon we will see how well Otago has taken the lessons on board.
It needs to improve in such areas as the speed the ball comes out, the pace of defending and the absolute must of not making elementary mistakes.
The team has spent the past few days based at River Ridge Retreat in the Catlins, concentrating mainly on rugby matters, though there has been the odd fun activity.
Coach Tony Brown said the focus was on team building, and claybird shooting was a "bit of good fun" ahead of the pre-season clash today.
Southland started its season with a convincing 38-0 win over a Cantabrians side in Oamaru last week. The Cantabrians side was a mere shadow of a full-strength Canterbury team but it was still an impressive performance from Southland.
Southland is a strong side and has a battle-hardened forward pack. It will look to dominate at set piece and then get its backs into the game.
Its first game of the ITM Cup is against Counties-Manukau on August 27.
Balclutha has not experienced as much rain as some parts of eastern Otago this week but the pitch is still expected to cut up.
The match is a first-class fixture and will be refereed by Southland whistle-blowers Keith Brown and Michael Lash, who are scheduled to get a half each.
Otago v Southland
Balclutha, today, 2.30pm
Referees: Michael Lash, Keith Brown.
Otago: Tony Ensor, Matt Faddes, Jayden Spence, Michael Collins, Buxton Popoali'i, Hayden Parker, Fumiaki Tanaka, Paul Grant (captain), Gareth Evans, TJ Ioane, Rob Verbakel, Justin Ives, Tama Tuirirangi, Shota Horie, Scott Manson. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli, Tom Franklin, Lee Allan, Brad Weber, Peter Breen, Glenn Dickson.
Southland: Mark Wells, Junior Ngaluafe, Nathan Hohaia or Matt Saunders, Cardiff Vaega, Tim Cornforth, Marty McKenzie, Nemia Kenatale, Hoani Macdonald, John Hardie, Tim Boys, Josh Bekhuis, Alex Ryan, Jamie Mackintosh (captain), Brayden Mitchell, Micheal Peterson. Reserves: Jason Rutledge, Nic Barrett, Ben Nally, Campbell Smith, Jimmy Cowan, Saunders or Matt Gandy, Kade Poki.
