North Otago coach Mike Mullins is starting himself at second five-eighth, obviously in an effort to provide some organisation and decision-making, which has been lacking in the three warm-up games.
Mullins will be joined by Zingari-Richmond and former New Zealand under-19 utility player Tane Puki, who will make his debut for North Otago at centre in the match at at Whitestone Contracting Stadium.
Lemi Masoe has been shunted from midfield to the left wing, with pre-season centre Hamish Clare relegated to the reserves.
Jason Forrest, who has retained his place at first five-eighth, will need to give the backline more impetus, while Peter Breen, an Alhambra-Union back who qualifies under the new player of origin concept, deservedly retains his place at fullback after encouraging displays against Southland and Otago Country.
The forward pack has plenty of potential.
Joe Mamea, Viliami Leo and Ross Hay, who will play his 99th first-class and 111th overall game for North Otago, will match most other loose trios.
Duncan Naude and Cowan Finch provide power and height in the line-outs, while the front row of Tavite Mafi, Mike Essex and Palenapa Mafi is a powerful unit.
Mullins has gone for a five-two split in the reserves, with no reserve halfback, although Forrest has plenty of experience there in club rugby.
Mullins said he wanted an extra forward as he was expecting a physical encounter.
"Last year was a very physical, bruising game and we don't expect anything different this year. We want to hit them with size as they will have a big pack," he said.
Mullins said the North Otago backline had plenty of potential, with exciting talent out wide.
"We have guys like Tane Puki and Jason Forrest who can play in a number of positions in the backline, and that has got to help our guys."
Mullins said the union had approached former Highlander Charlie Hore to play for North Otago but the experienced five-eighth had work and family commitments and declined the invitation.
After getting through a full club season with Excelsior, Mullins said he was fit and ready to play.
He had dropped 11kg from last year, and he felt his experience would help guide a raw but promising backline.
North Otago lost to South Canterbury last year so there was plenty of motivation for the side, Mullins said.
Mullins is joined in the coaching team by Barry Matthews, who previously helped coach North Otago with Glenn Moore.
Matthews, a former Southland, South Canterbury and Canterbury representative, has been coaching the successful Waitaki Boys High School First XV with Peter Rowland, and joins North Otago as a technical adviser.
North Otago will be keen to make a bright start against South Canterbury, its neighbour and long-time rival.
South Canterbury co-coach Ken Wills will have some new faces in the green and black jersey in 2009.
There is excitement about the potential of promising new halfback Sekope Maea, but Wills is not carried away.
"He's a bright prospect but the thing with a halfback is the forward pack has got to be going forward and deliver good ball," Wills said.
"If this doesn't occur, the halfback isn't much good to anyone, really."
• North Otago v South Canterbury
Oamaru, today, 2.30pm
North Otago: Peter Breen, Ofa Fatai, Tane Puki, Mike Mullins, Lemi Masoe, Jason Forrest, Hamish McKenzie, Joe Mamea (captain), Ross Hay, Viliami Leo, Duncan Naude, Cowan Finch, Tavite Mafi, Mike Essex, Palenapa Mafi. Reserves: Fraser Fletcher, Rangi Hepi or Ralph Darling, Lei'ataua Limuloa, Samisoni Tongotongo, Paula Fonakalafi, Hamish Clare, Ekeroma Sefo.
South Canterbury: Kayne Wahlstrom, Jimmy Owen, Tanu Suavine, Tristam Johnston, Maile Iongi, Scott Norton, Sekope Maea, Otako Kaufusi, Eric Smith, Pete Copeland, Shannan McRae, Andrew Scarlett, Timaru Tafa, Ben Hewitson, Matt Fetu. Reserves: Faianga Savieti, Tenari Fagalima, Tui Tauelangi, Scott McAuley, Patolo Tupuola, Ewen Campbell, Gideon Snow.
- Terry O'Neal and Steve Hepburn
