Otago has made just one change to the starting side which lost to Canterbury in the Ranfurly Shield challenge last Sunday as it faces Manawatu at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Tighthead prop Hisa Sasagi comes into the side, swapping places with Donald Brighouse, who moves to the bench.
Lock Blair Tweed was forced to pull out of the game in Christchurch because of a virus and coach Cory Brown said he was not able to train properly at the start of this week and would not play tomorrow.
It is tough for Tweed, who has played well for Otago in the past two seasons.Italian import Josh Furno, who got around the paddock last week in his Otago debut, will start in the second row with Josh Dickson.
Tom Rowe, who came on to the bench last week when Tweed pulled out, will stay in the reserves.
Brown said University centre Josh Timu had come into the squad and the chances were he may make his full Otago debut later in the season.
Centre Matt Faddes is out for the season with a broken hand while Michael Collins will get out of his moonboot next week and progress will then be checked on the stress fracture in his lower leg.
Winger Gavin Stark has not been sighted so far this season for Otago and Brown said he had picked up a turf toe injury, which he was struggling to shake off.
It will be the 50th game for hooker Sam Anderson-Heather and prop Aki Seiuli, so Otago will not lack for incentive.
Brown said the side would also get the bonus of playing against All Blacks Nehe Milner-Skudder and Ngani Laumape.
The duo have been released from the All Black squad for match practice. Laumape will start at second five-eighth for the visiting team while Milner-Skudder is on the right wing.
Former Highlander Kurt Baker, who had been playing in Italy, has returned to New Zealand and will start at fullback for Manawatu.
Another former Highlander, utility forward Nick Crosswell, has also returned from overseas and is back in the Manawatu side.
Highlanders Jackson Hemopo and Kayne Hammington will turn out for Manawatu.
Otago has lost its first two games of the season.
Manawatu started its season with a 41-29 loss to Wellington but bounced back to beat Tasman 35-20. Otago beat Manawatu 21-14 last season.
Otago v Manawatu
Forsyth Barr Stadium, tomorrow, 2.35pm
Otago: Vilimoni Koroi, Mitchell Scott, Sio Tomkinson, Tei Walden, Jona Nareki, Josh Ioane, Jonathan Ruru, Adam Knight, James Lentjes, Dillon Hunt, Josh Dickson, Josh Furno, Hisa Sasagi, Sam Anderson-Heather (captain), Aki Seiuli. Reserves: Sekonaia Pole, Craig Millar, Donald Brighouse, Tom Rowe, Sione Teu, Josh Renton, Fletcher Smith, Leroy van Dam.
Manawatu: Kurt Baker, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Hamish Northcott, Ngani Laumape, Ambrose Curtis, Otere Black, Kayne Hammington, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis (captain), Antonio Kiri Kiri, Nick Crosswell, Jackson Hemopo, Tom Parsons, Michael Alaalatoa, Hunter Prescott, Fraser Armstrong. Reserves: Tim Cadwallader, Tuki Raimona, Sean Paranihi, Liam Hallam-Eames, Brice Henderson, Jamie Booth, Jade Te Rure, Lewis Marshall.