Otago lost the final to Auckland 27-32 last year and is keen to go one better this year.
The new Otago captain, Black Fern Beth Mallard, is confident.
Can Otago win the championship this year?
"I think we can," she said. "It will be tough, but I think we have got the talent to do it.
"We have got a good mixture of players with experience, and young and enthusiastic girls coming through."
Mallard has a positive leadership style and likes to lead from the front on the paddock.
"I like to get stuck in and lead by example," she said.
She expects the other players to prepare diligently and do their own jobs on the paddock.
"What is most important is that everyone believes in themselves right from the start. They must know that they are good enough to be there."
Were any lessons learnt from last years' campaign?
"It was heartbreaking to get so close and not quite get there last year," Mallard said. "But we had to be proud of ourselves getting that close because most of the Auckland side were Black Ferns.
"We had a pretty young team and we will be looking to go one better this year. We took even ourselves by surprise last year."
Otago has traditionally had a strong pack in women's rugby, but last year the backs stepped up to the mark as well.
"The young girls in the backline really stood up and I'm looking to them to kick on this year."
Mallard said that there was more confidence in the backline which made the difference last year.
A big factor in Otago's runner-up performance in the Air New Zealand Cup was the accurate goal-kicking of Claire Richardson.
"She kicked some amazing penalties and sideline conversions," Mallard said. "She was more consistent than the kickers we have had in the past." The goal-kicker today is halfback Zoe Berry.
Mallard (27), a PhD student in physiology at the University of Otago, has played four tests for the Black Ferns over the past two years.
"In the Black Ferns it is more a sign of what I have got to learn than how much I know already," she said.
"When I train with the Black Ferns I realise what amazing skills the girls have. I learnt stuff at every training. Hopefully I can transfer some of this to our girls."
Mallard, the Otago prop, was impressed by the strong work ethic of the team and how much time the tight forwards put into their passing skills.
"The Black Ferns have tight forwards who can pass the ball like backs," she said. "It is something for me to aim for."
Mallard is still given advice on rugby by her cabinet minister father Trevor Mallard.
"He gives me a bit every now and then," she said.
The game starts at the University Oval at 1pm.
• Otago v Wellington- University Oval, today
Charlotte Brock, Victoria Nafatali, Ashley Hooper, Janna Vaughan, Carla Hohepa, Kelly Brazier, Zoe Berry, Georgina Gane, Rebecca Mitchell, Kerry Stoddart, Nicki Crawford, Carrie Lobb, Beth Mallard (captain), Erin Moar, Kamila Wihongi.
Reserves: Megan Deans, Alosina Fanene, Megan Kane, Erin Bailey, Rebecca Chittock, Ainslie Johnston, Chloe Trubshoe.
