The Otago Whalers have made a few tweaks to their line-up ahead of their toughest challenge of the season.
They will host the defending champions the Auckland Vulcans at Tahuna Park at noon today.
The Vulcans are unbeaten in three games this season and are fresh from thumping Waikato 80-0 last weekend.
The Whalers are coming off the back of a couple of losses but also registered a healthy 48-24 win against Waikato earlier in the season.
The Vulcans will start as hot favourites but the Whalers have made a change in the halves to help squeeze more out of their lineup.
Rookie Oscar Anderson will start at standoff ahead of Keenan Masina, who shifts to the centre to help bolster the defence on the edge.
The Whalers have been vulnerable out wide, so having an experienced campaigner near the flank should help shore up the defensive line.
Southern Magpies lock Corbin Agar has recovered from a knee injury and will make his debut for the Whalers. He has been named in the second row.
Hagan Free is sidelined with an injury so the in-form Troy Anstiss will move to lock. Mr Fix-it has played in every forward position this season except prop.
Prop Mika Mafi is still sidelined after he was punched in the face in the game against Counties-Manukau two weeks ago.
The Vulcans will represent a big step up in opposition, coach David Reedy said.
"For us the focus has been about just embracing the physicality and not shying away from it", he said.
"And it is the same as last week. We need to be more accurate on attack because we bombed a few tries last week, so it is about having clarity around our attack."
NZRL premiership
Tāhuna Park, noon
Otago Whalers: Max Brown, Opeti Tuimana, Tama Apineru, Keenan Masina, Mavae Manuika, Oscar Anderson, Jordan McEntee, Tofatu Solia, Eli Ellison, Benji Latu, Corban Agar, Sefo Muasika, Troy Anstiss, Siua Fonua, Kiardyn Hatch, Nale Fifita, Jake Day, Rawiri Wereta.
Auckland Vulcans: Andrew Nansen, Penu Figota, William Piliu, Matthew Whyte, James Hickey, Unaloto Suli, Noah Harmer-Campbell, Kadiyae Loka, Quinnlan Tupou, Dylan Tavita, Matagi-Blade Collins-Kamuhemu, Mark asaeli uili liku Fameitau, Patrick Sipley, Malachi Filipo, Daniel Smith, John Suli, Paterika Vaivai, Fine Vakautakakala.
