The Otago Spirit side finally gets a game on its home track and wants to return to winning ways.
The Spirit takes on Hawkes Bay at the North Ground, at 11.30am today, in a match in which Otago will want to spread the ball, and look to use its fleet-footed backline.
Otago had last week off with a bye. Coach Marty Gray said the team took the weekend off, though training continued as usual.
After two games the team has recorded a win and a loss.
It had an encouraging 8-7 victory over Wellington in the wind and the rain in the capital but then went down 26-7 to Canterbury in Christchurch two weeks ago.
Gray said the side had just been working on its game and wanted to use speed and width to get its backs into play.
"Hopefully, with fine weather forecast and good ground conditions, we'll be able to do that. We want to use our backs but you can only do that if you get the good ball up front," he said.
"The girls have been training well and with it being our first home game we want to play well and hopefully get a good crowd there to support us."
Hawkes Bay has lost both its games in this competition but has a strong and big pack, so Gray said the side did not want to get drawn into a battle up front.
Kelly Brazier and Claire Richardson will team up in the midfield for the Spirit while Victoria Nafatali will direct play in the No 10 jersey.
Gray said he had taken something out of the loss to Canterbury. The Canterbury side was very experienced and had started magnificently against Otago.
Otago had fought back well but Canterbury could not be pegged back.
Otago needed to start well today.
One hinderance for the Otago side was the continued unavailability of skipper Anika Tiplady. Tiplady, an outside back and former Black Fern, is struggling with a hamstring injury.
She believed it was coming right but she had damaged it again this week.
Gray said she may look at getting a scan to find the real problem.
The match will be officiated by international referee Nicky Inwood, of Christchurch.
Spirit v Tuis
North Ground, today, 11.30am
Referee: Nicky Inwood (Canterbury)
Otago: Hailee Hurring, Jamie Greene, Kelly Brazier, Claire Richardson, Arna McLeod, Victoria Nafatali, Jenna Aikman, Angie Sisifa, Kerry Stoddart (captain), Rachel Scott, Nicky Crawford, Zoe Wills, Pip Love, Lucy Emery, Kat Wilton.
Reserves: Rebecca Todd, Karina Nafatali, Biddy Sefton, Leyhana van Vugt, Claire Smith, Greer Muir, Ange Taylor.
Hawkes Bay: Michaela Baker, Shaylee Tipiwai, Kaylah Clarke-Winiata, Kathryn Marshall, Davina Winiata, Krysten Duffill, Gemma Woods, Turina Paku, Chanel Huddleston, Ditte Van Vliet, Amy Pettman, Kataraina Clarke, Rachael McKenzie, Natalie Cotton (captain), Jess Fibbes.
Reserves: Jess Carter, Ruth Te Tonga-Grant, Stacey Loye, Jasmine Kemp, Diane Hepi, Jess Bennett, Nina Pineaha.
