Otago Spirit has lost its captain, Kathleen Wilton, and talented back Claire Richardson for this year's Air New Zealand Cup.
Wilton (23) has had back surgery and is out of action for the season.
Richardson has returned to her home base in Hawkes Bay.
The pair were in the New Zealand team that made the end-of-year tour to Australia after last year's Air New Zealand Cup.
Wilton, a psychology and Pacific Island studies student at the University of Otago, has been in the Otago team for the past four years and was captain for the past two years. The loosehead prop comes from Pahiatua in Manawatu.
Wilton played for New Zealand A against England in 2005 but made her full international debut on the tour of Australia last year.
Richardson (23), who completed her physical education degree last year, is widely regarded as a potential star in the women's game.
But two of Otago's current internationals, wing Carla Hohepa (23) and hooker Beth Mallard, are back.
Hohepa (22), a third-year College of Education student, was the find of last year's national championship.
She comes from Te Awamutu and was a member of the New Zealand touch team that finished runner-up to Australia at last year's World Cup in South Africa.
The Otago team made the final of the Air New Zealand Cup for the first time in seven years and gave Auckland a hurry-up in the final when it was beaten 32-27.
Two of Otago's best young players, Zoe Berry, a halfback with a strong defence, and first five-eighth Kelly Brazier, are back.
New players expected to be named in the squad next week are Alosina Fanene (prop) and Sene Fanene (first five-eighth) from Oamaru, Kamil Wihongi (prop), who is returning from Northland, Erin Bailey (flanker) from Canada, Ainslie Johnston (first five-eighth) from Canterbury, Niki Crawford (lock or loose forward) from Southland and locals Rachel Ovens (prop) and Sonia Panapa (midfield), who has returned after having a baby.
"We have lost a lot of experience but this will be offset by the players we have brought in," coach John Kyle said.
Other players missing from last year are Leah Barnfield (Taranaki), Stacey Hayman (Waikato), Anna Heckler (overseas), Karina Nafatali (retired), Ngamamae Rapata (Australia), Piki Solomon (Hawkes Bay).
Not playing are Karlee Waru, Hannah Mitchell, Maggie Crooks and Catherine Charles.
The top four teams in the Dunedin premier competition have been decided and will play off for the championship in a round-robin competition.
Alhambra-Union remains unbeaten.
The other teams are University, Pirates and Southern.
Otago's draw
August 23: Wellington, at Dunedin
August 30: Hawkes Bay, at Dunedin
September 6: Canterbury, at Christchurch
September 13: Manawatu, at Palmerston North
September 20: Auckland, at Dunedin
September 27: semifinals
October 4: final
