Blake (19) was a member of the New Zealand Colts side which finished runner-up at the world under-20 championships in South Africa earlier this season.
He has impressed in club rugby over the past few years playing for Dunedin, but will have a severe test tomorrow night up against All Black flanker Sam Cane.
Blake's inclusion is one of four changes coach Tony Brown has made to the Otago team which had a good first-up win over Northland in the ITM Cup last Saturday.
Sam Anderson-Heather gets a start at hooker ahead of Liam Coltman, while prop Aki Seuli starts at tighthead prop. Tama Tuirirangi switches to the loosehead side of the scrum with Scott Manson rested.
All Black Ben Smith joins the team this week and comes straight back in at fullback, with Tony Ensor rather unluckily moving to the bench.
Ensor had impressed against Northland, scoring a try, but Smith's experience and ability could not be ignored.
Brown said he had no hesitation bringing back Smith into the starting line-up along with the team's other All Blacks, loose forward Adam Thomson and centre Tamati Ellison, who had started against Northland despite limited time in training with the Otago team.
"With the positions they play, fullback, centre and loose forward, we can throw them out there and they just get on and play," Brown said.
"Those three guys have been outstanding with our young players. Just being around All Blacks can only help your development as a young player."
He said Blake deserved his call-up after a successful club season and impressing in the national age-group side. There was depth in the Otago loose forwards so Blake has had to wait.
TJ Ioane had suffered a bang to the knee in the Northland game and there were doubts whether he would be available.
But he had got through training and would make a good impact off the bench.
There was stiff competition for the hooking berth and Sam Anderson-Heather gets his first start in an Otago jersey.
Coltman is in the reserves and will provide propping cover, with Japanese rake Shota Horie also named on the bench.
Brown said injured prop Jacob Ellison was making good progress from his back injury. He was training with the team but had not started full contact practice.
Former Otago and Highlanders first five-eighth Chris Noakes is under a cloud for Bay of Plenty because of an injured leg and a decision will be made on his fitness today.
If he does not make the side, Nick McCashin will take his place.
There are three other Highlanders in the Bay of Plenty starting line-up with Kendrick Lynn at fullback, Phil Burleigh at second five-eighth and Cullum Retallick at lock.
Former Otago B halfback Lewis Hancock is in the Bay of Plenty reserves.
Warren Smith, who used to play for Otago, broke his arm in Bay of Plenty's loss to Taranaki last Saturday and is unlikely to be seen again this season.
Bay of Plenty will be pressing to get its first win tomorrow night, after a disappointing effort against Taranaki, losing 37-22
Otago v Bay of Plenty
Rotorua, tomorrow, 7.35pm
Otago: Ben Smith, Jayden Spence, Tamati Ellison, Glenn Dickson, Buxton Popoali'i, Hayden Parker, Fumiaki Tanaka, Gareth Evans, Hugh Blake, Adam Thomson, Rob Verbakel, Paul Grant (captain), Aki Seuli, Sam Anderson-Heather, Tama Tuirirangi.
Reserves: Liam Coltman, Shota Horie, Tom Franklin, TI Ioane, Brad Weber, Peter Breen, Tony Ensor.
Bay of Plenty: Kendrick Lynn, Lelia Masaga, Mafi Kefu, Phil Burleigh, Lance MacDonald, Chris Noakes or Nick McCashin, Jamie Nutbrown (captain), Luke Braid, Sam Cane, Tanerau Latimer, Leon Power, Cullum Retallick, Mike Kainga, Dan Perrin, Tristan Moran.
Reserves: John Pareanga, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Keepa Mewett, Carl Axtens, Lewis Hancock, Nick MaCashin or Simon Rolleston, Jack Wilson.
