The Spirit will play a warm-up game against Canterbury in Christchurch this morning and have a 30-minute hit-out against Tasman in the afternoon.
For Spirit coach Scott Manson it is an opportunity to have a look at some combinations and get the team playing structured rugby in a pressure situation.
"We need to nail in some of the detail [in our game plan] and move on from club mode into NPC mode," he said.
"There is obviously some different personnel we need to have a look at as well.
"And we just need to get ready to have a crack in the Farah Palmer Cup."
There are a few injury concerns. Openside flanker Georgia Mason picked up a knee injury towards the back of the club season and it is unclear when she will return.
"We are still waiting on some concrete information, so we don't know [when she will be back]."
Her absence will be felt deeply.
"Just the way she conducts herself and gets into her work. She is a 120% at everything, so we will miss that from her."
The depth in the front row will also be tested with hookers Paige Church and Gemma Millar unavailable.
"Both of them have been playing pretty well. Gemma has been one the best players in club rugby all year."
Church has an ankle complaint and Millar is out with a knee injury, after previously being sidelined with a hurt elbow.
"She has had a rough run in the last six or so weeks."
The good news is both players appear to be on track to make their return in time for the Spirit's opening game against Taranaki at Forsyth Barr Stadium on September 8.
Utility back Sheree Hume (hamstring) and locks Syreeta Norris (shoulder) and Kate Smith (ankle) are on limited minutes while they return from niggles.
Canterbury defeated Counties Manukau 52-29 in the Premiership final last year, so it will present the Spirit with a serious challenge.
Tasman, by contrast, picked up just one win in the Championship and will be a more gentle opponent.
