Otago lock Tom Donnelly is fit to play his 50th game for Otago, against Taranaki at Carisbrook tomorrow night.
Donnelly missed Otago's 21-21 draw with Tasman because of a hamstring injury but yesterday he was passed fit for what could be the game that determines whether or not Otago stays in the Air NZ Cup play-off hunt.
The veteran second-rower debuted for Otago in 2002 against Marlborough.
He has also been a member of the Highlanders since 2004, played for the Junior All Blacks in 2006 and 2007 and captained Otago in 2007 when injury forced Craig Newby out.
Donnelly was also called into the All Black training squad before the June tests this year.
Otago coach Steve Martin said it would be a "wonderful" occasion for Donnelly and the rest of the Otago team.
"Milestones such as this always add an extra motivation to play well for the team," Martin said.
The Otago coaches have made two other changes to their forward pack, with Steven Setephano replacing Paul Grant at No 8 and Keith Cameron, over his knee ligament injury, resuming at loosehead prop in place of Jeremy Aldworth.
Setephano has recovered from injury and needs to start showing the form he produced in the early rounds of the Super 14.
Otherwise, his first season with Otago will not get glowing reviews.
Aldworth, who made his first competitive start for Otago last week, misses out tomorrow night.
The merry-go-round selection at halfback continues, with the more experienced Toby Morland supplanting Sean Romans.
Neither player has stamped his authority on the position.
"The majority of the changes to the team this week have come about from players recovering from their various injuries," Martin said.
"At halfback we have two players who are both playing well, and we have decided to pick Toby this week due to his experience at this level."
Martin said the game against Taranaki was important for both teams in the context of the competition.
Otago wanted to produce a complete performance in front of a home crowd.
Waikato will have Kevin O'Neill available for its key match against Hawkes Bay on Saturday after the lock was cleared yesterday of a foul play charge arising from the match against Wellington, NZPA reported.
It was alleged O'Neill had twisted and wrenched Serge Lilo's left leg in a ruck during the match last Saturday.
Lilo sustained considerable damage to the ligaments of his left knee and will be out of the game from four to eight weeks.
Otago team
To play Taranaki
Glen Horton, Karne Hesketh, Brett Mather, Aaron Bancroft, Ben Smith, Daniel Bowden, Toby Morland, Steven Setephano, Eben Joubert, Craig Newby (captain), Tom Donnelly, Ross Kennedy, Ben Nolan, Jason Macdonald, Keith Cameron.
Reserves: Peter Mirrielees, Jed Vercoe, Uili Kolo'ofai, Paul Grant, Sean Romans, Chris Noakes, Lucky Mulipola.
