The Black Ferns fly to England tomorrow for a whistle-stop tour of the country, having to play three tests in eight days.
The new-look side assembled in Auckland yesterday to get ready for the tour, the first of three series between the countries in the next three seasons.
The team includes eight new caps and only one player from Otago in prop Kathleen Wilton.
Although Wilton is listed as from Otago, she has been playing in Canada for the past couple of seasons. However, she made a flying return to New Zealand in this year's national provincial championship, playing one game for Otago against Canterbury in front of the national selectors. Her performance was obviously enough to gain her selection, although she has played for the Black Ferns before.
Former Otago back Kelly Brazier is also in the side while ex-Otago coach John Kyle is the assistant coach.
Wilton's selection does at least show an Otago presence in the side but the days of the province supplying up to half a dozen players appear long gone.
The women's game in the South has rather stagnated over the past few years, with playing numbers falling and representation dropping in national sides.
The Black Ferns take on England on November 26 at Twickenham, playing shortly after the Australians have played the Barbarians on the same ground.
The following tests, to be played on November 29 and December 3, will be played at the Esher Rugby Club, just out of London.
Black Ferns coach Grant Hansen said the players had been training individually and in their own home towns in groups.
The three tests against England is the first instalment of a three-year programme in which the Black Ferns play England again next year, in England, and in 2013 in New Zealand.
Black Ferns captain Victoria Grant welcomed the prospect of secured annual fixtures against England, and said it was an important way to develop the women's game.
England, which lost to the Black Ferns in the World Cup final last year, has been the top side in the northern hemisphere.
Both sides have lost players to retirement since last year's World Cup.
