Otago will take on its neighbour and southern rival, Southland, at next month's national sevens tournament in Queenstown.
Otago and Southland have been drawn in the same pool, which also features Taranaki and Horowhenua-Kapiti.
Taranaki was the beaten finalist last year and will again be tough while Southland did not enter the tournament last year.
Horowhenua-Kapiti is one of the few sides from the Heartland Championship which regularly turns up to the tournament.
North Otago is not entering a team this year and has been replaced by Mid Canterbury.
Otago's first game on Saturday is against Horowhenua-Kapiti, followed by Taranaki with the final game of Saturday between Otago and Southland.
Defending champion Auckland has been drawn in the same pool as Hawkes Bay, Manawatu and Mid Canterbury.
The tournament is at the Queenstown Recreation Ground on January 7-8.
