Both teams have qualified for the semfinals of the ITM Cup in their respective divisions - Auckland in the Premiership and Otago in the Championship - but the result of the match will go a long way to determining whether they host a home semifinal.
Auckland has lost just two games this year, to Canterbury and Bay of Plenty, and has won many of its games by its sheer physical size and ability to muscle teams away at the breakdown.
It is likely to try to continue in this vein tomorrow night, with a big solid forward pack named.
Auckland coach Wayne Pivac has made three changes to the side which chalked up a 36-16 win over North Harbour on Sunday.
Lock Andrew Van der Heijden comes into the team to join All Black Ali Williams in the second row and give Auckland some tall timber in the lineout. Williams made his long-awaited return to action against North Harbour and lasted 60 minutes before being replaced.
Van der Heijden is replacing Liaki Moli, who moves to the bench. Nathan Hughes comes on to the back of the scrum to replace Joe Edwards.
In the backs, Dave Thomas comes on to the left wing to replace Lolagi Visinia. Thomas missed most of last week's training because of bronchitis.
Auckland has plenty of weapons, with the backs led by young fullback Charles Piutau and first five-eighth Gareth Anscombe.
Auckland coach Wayne Pivac said his team was looking forward to playing under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
"Certainly, a lot of guys played down there earlier in the year and really enjoyed the experience so the fact there are no weather conditions to worry about is a plus for us," Pivac said.
Otago will name its side today but one thing is sure - it will not have any of its All Blacks available.
The All Blacks returned late Monday night from South Africa and, although Otago's All Blacks Tamati Ellison, Ben Smith and Adam Thomson have had limited minutes in the black jersey in the past couple of weeks, they will not be playing for Otago tomorrow night.
Neither will they be available for the semifinals next weekend, as the All Blacks travel to Brisbane to take on the Wallabies.
Otago will be looking to bounce back and increase its energy levels after a disappointing 49-22 loss to Wellington at the stadium last Saturday.
Otago will play its fourth game in 13 days tomorrow night so some of the players may be feeling the pace. It will be keen to gain a win over Auckland as it is yet to bag a victory against any Premiership side.
Otago v Auckland
Auckland team
Charles Piutau, Ben Lam, Malakai Fekitoa, Hadleigh Parkes (captain), Dave Thomas, Gareth Anscombe, Alby Mathewson, Nathan Hughes, Daniel Braid, Steven Luatua, Ali Williams, Andrew Van der Heijden, Angus Ta'avao, Tom McCartney, Pauliasi Manu.
Reserves: Nathan Vella, Siosiua Halonukonuka, Liaki Moli, Sean Polwart, Scott Paterson, Simon Hickey, Joe Edwards.
