Peter Breen will make his first start of the season for Otago in its must-win clash against Manawatu tomorrow.
Breen will start at first five-eighth in place of Hayden Parker, who is carrying a shoulder injury.
Parker landed awkwardly last week and he will have a fitness test today to see if he is able to take his place in the reserves.
If Parker fails the test, he will be replaced on the bench by Kieran Moffat.
Otago coach Tony Brown has made two other changes to his side.
It was hoped Lee Allan would be back in the starting side, but the loose forward is still feeling the effects of a head blow from the game against Waikato in September 21 and has been scratched.
Brown said Allan was a big loss as he was one of the team's leaders on the field and had been playing well.
Hugh Blake will start on the blindside flank, moving TJ Ioane to the bench, while at halfback Nick Ealey is in the reserves with Josh Renton getting the start.
Trent Renata starts at fullback again and Jayden Spence is again on the wing.
Manawatu has made just the two changes to the side which convincingly beat Hawkes Bay in Palmerston North last Sunday.
Halfback Jamie Booth comes into the starting side while winger Newton Tudreu takes the place of Semisi Masirewa.
Renton and Booth were the two halfbacks picked in the New Zealand schools team in 2012.
Manawatu has already qualified for the finals and sits top of the ITM Cup Championship, with just the two losses.
A win will guarantee the team home advantage through the finals.
Otago is second-last but can still make the semifinals although results will have to go its way.
If teams are tied on points, the winner of the match between the two sides will have the higher position.
Otago has the advantage there as it has beaten the two teams above it - North Harbour and Southland - this season.
