Otago will take some confidence into its ITM Cup semifinal against Wellington in the capital tomorrow night.
Coach Cory Brown has made just three changes to the side which defeated Bay of Plenty last Sunday and has kept faith with the forward pack which has worked hard all year.
In the backs, Michael Collins slots back into fullback, replacing Tony Ensor, who is moved to the bench.
Ensor has impressed in his past couple of games, using his speed and guile to break open defences.
But Collins, known more as a midfielder, has impressed at the back, and has a very solid defensive game, not making a lot of mistakes.
Second five-eighth Tei Walden comes back into the team, having missed last Sunday's game because of a nasty knock picked up midweek against Northland.
Left winger Jack Wilson comes into the team to replace Gavin Stark.
Loose forward Mika Mafi is over his calf strain and is named on the reserves bench.
Versatile forward Josh Dickson badly sprained his ankle at training on Tuesday and was not available for the match.
Hooker Sam Anderson-Heather returns to the reserves following a month out because of an ankle injury.
Brown said it was not a hard side to pick, apart from a couple of positions and, with injuries, some players picked themselves.
Otago should go into the game with some confidence.
It beat Wellington at the same ground earlier in the season, coming back from being 13 points behind with three minutes go to win the game.
Wellington, though, will be on alert and will want to win to go some way towards getting rid of its poor home record this season.
The Wellington side includes exciting loose forward Vaea Fifita, who has been out for the past two matches with a calf injury.
Ardia Savea will play at No8 and discarded All Black Cory Jane at fullback. Loose forward Brad Shields is out for the season with a broken jaw.
Wellington has lost three, drawn one and won only one game - against lowly Northland - at home, this season.
It won all its five away games but did not play heavyweights Auckland and Canterbury.
Otago v Wellington
Wellington, tomorrow, 7.35pm
Otago: Michael Collins, Jayden Spence, Matt Faddes, Tei Walden, Jack Wilson, Peter Breen, Josh Renton, Naulia Dawai, James Lentjes, Jackson Hemopo, Tom Franklin, Blair Tweed, Hisa Sasagi, Liam Coltman (captain), Craig Millar. Reserves: Sam Anderson-Heather, Aki Seiuli, Donald Brighouse, Adam Knight, Mika Mafi, Kaide Whiting, Fletcher Smith, Tony Ensor.
Wellington: Cory Jane, Jason Woodward, Matt Proctor, Marvin Karawana, Sam McNicol, Jonny Bentley, Frae Wilson, Ardia Savea (captain), Greg Foe, Vaea Fifita, Hoani Matenga, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery To'omaga-Allen, Leni Apisai, Reggie Goodes. Reserves: James O'Reilly, Vince Sakaria, Ben May, James Blackwell, Isaac O'Connor, Tomasi Palu, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Malo Tuitama.
