The fifth-year head coach admits it is no secret, anyway.
In recent years, the Otago team has become known for its expansive, free-flowing and attacking rugby.
It has not had the size of the majority of its opponents.
But it has made use of its skill, speed and ability to run opponents around.
That is not likely to change this year, either.
The Spirit heads into this year’s Farah Palmer Cup — its first game is tomorrow against Hawke’s Bay in Hastings — with a similar team.
It brings a mobile forward pack and a speedy set of backs, which it will look to unleash on the rest of the Championship division teams.
"You can definitely expect to see that," Manson said.
"I think it’s what we tried to do against Southland [in last weekend’s pre-season game], even though we were a similar size.
"Northland and Hawke’s Bay, our first two games, they’ll be considerably bigger than us. I don’t think it’s any secret that’s what we’ll be trying to do."
The Spirit is coming off a 68-0 win over Southland, part of its pre-season camp in Wedderburn.
Manson said that had been great for bonding and the team was in a good place heading into the season.
The Spirit has a handy squad, although its losses are not insignificant.
Greer Muir and Teilah Ferguson have both moved away, Kilisitina Moata’ane is pregnant and Morgan Henderson is not playing.
However, some quality has been added, notably in the inside backs where Black Ferns first five Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali has returned home and Dunedin-born Wallaroos halfback Georgia Cormick joins the team.
Alongside Maia Joseph, that should give the Spirit plenty of quality in those key positions.
Subritzky-Nafatali is injured to begin the season, although Manson said it was probable she would start at second five, with Joseph at first five and Cormick at halfback.
Then the outside two would slide in later in the game — giving them the chance to develop, after Joseph’s strides at halfback earned her a Chiefs call-up for Super Rugby Aupiki.
It is not just there that there is quality.
Other notable names in the backs include experienced fullback Sheree Hume and dangerous young winger Oceana Campbell.
Up front, Tegan Hollows and Julia Gorinski are both consistent performers and will lead the team, while Leah Miles and Grace Carroll are exceptional in the loose.
The Spirit drops back down to the Championship this season, after spending last year in the Premiership.
While it battled at that higher level, the experience will leave it in good stead going into this campaign.
"I think the taste of the Premiership last year was really important," Manson said.
"Even the year before, when we had that north-south competition where you were regularly playing Championship and Premiership teams, was awesome.
"I think most players agree you’ve got less time and space, but there’s still some pretty good teams in this Championship. I imagine it’s changed a lot since 2019, when we were last in the Championship. I imagine all these teams will be much better than what they were in 2019."
Manson is heading into his fifth year as Spirit coach.
Having initially came into the role after his playing days — he played 30 games at prop for Otago — he had thought he would do it for "a couple of years".
It had since become "addictive" and he was continuing to grow as a coach, he said.
"I literally came in from one year playing and then the next year head coaching, and I think I’ve learnt a lot on the way — what to do and what not to do, as well.
"There’s certainly been some lessons. And I reflect now, coming from playing and into coaching the women’s game, I remember the first shock of how under-resourced things were.
"There were a few times I nearly fell off my chair. But obviously, a lot has changed in those four years, coming up five years.
"There’s been a lot more emphasis on things. Obviously, there’s still a way to go. But I think it’s definitely in a much better place now, that’s for sure."
The Spirit will play once against each of the other Championship division teams, before moving into playoffs.
Kick-off tomorrow is at 2.05pm.
Otago Spirit
The squad
Lucy Cahill, Oceana Campbell, Te Atawhai Campbell, Grace Carroll, Paige Church, Mia Cochrane, Georgia Cormick, Brigid Corson, Cheyenne Cunningham, Bella Digby, Olivia Fowler, Ella Gomez, Julia Gorinski (co-captain), Grace Hastie, Keely Hill, Tegan Hollows (co-captain), Atawhai Hotene, Sheree Hume, Kayley Johnson, Maia Joseph, Nicole Kennedy, Kristi Kerr, Leah Miles, Gemma Millar, Vika Piukala, Isla Pringle, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, Laura Sadler, Rebekah Wairau, Kiana Wereta, Zoe Whatarau.
Draw
Home games: v Northland (Saturday, July 30), v Tasman (Saturday, August 13).
Away games: v Hawke’s Bay (tomorrow), v Taranaki (Sunday, August 7), North Harbour (Saturday, August 20).
