It is Otago's final warm-up match before the start of the Air New Zealand Cup on August 2, and will be only the second game for more than half the starting line-up under the experimental law variations (Elvs).
Wellington has named a strong side, with a potent-looking loose forward trio, including All Black Chris Masoe at blindside flanker and sevens sensation Victor Vito at No 8.
Otago will be keen not to repeat its last visit to Wellington when it lost 7-68 in the first round of the national competition last year.
Otago coach Steve Martin said many players who had their first hit-out under the new rules last week in the defeat to Southland were surprised by the change of the pace of the game.
"It is a big shift for a lot of our players who haven't played under these rules before," he said.
"The pace of the game has quickened up significantly, probably by a good 20%."
An International Rugby Board ruling meant club rugby was not played under the Elvs.
He said the increase in free kicks led to players having to become very organised and get back quickly on defence.
"What can happen is we might get a maul going and commit five to six guys in there and then get a free kick against us.
We find if the opposition take a quick free kick against us, we can get caught out."
Martin said the laws would take some adjustment, and teams with more players who had played under the rules would have an advantage.
Referees were instrumental in how the game took shape under the Elvs and how long they let the maul and ruck develop before blowing an infringement.
Otago leaked seven tries when it was beaten 43-36 by Southland, and Martin said much work had been done on defence this week.
He was pleased with parts of the attack last week, and hoped for more progress today.
There were bound to be more mismatches on defence under the new laws, and a lot more of the game was played between the two 22m lines as teams could no longer pass back into the 22m area and kick the ball out on the full.
Martin said the starting side would play the first half, but there might be changes at half-time and then others might come on during the second half.
But he was keen to get some combinations going and patterns emerging.
The side will open its national competition against Southland in Invercargill on August 2.
The team would travel to Wellington and back in one day, but Martin said that was just the reality of professional rugby.
The Otago team will reassemble on Sunday and travel to Waikouaiti for a three-day camp.
Otago's Air New Zealand Cup squad will be named on Wednesday.
It was to be named on Sunday before the camp but a ruling from the New Zealand Rugby Union meant the squad does not have to be named until 10 days before the start of the competition.
The match starts at 2pm and does not carry first-class status.
All Black prop Neemia Tialata has been named on the Wellington bench and is expected to get a run during the match.
Air NZ Cup Teams
For the pre-season match in Wellington
Otago: Ben Smith, Karne Hesketh, Brett Mather, Aaron Bancroft (vice-captain), Lucky Mulipola, Daniel Bowden, Sean Romans, Paul Grant, Hoani Matenga, Seko Qaraniqio, Tom Donnelly, Ross Kennedy, Jed Vercoe, Jason MacDonald (captain), Jeremy Aldworth.
Reserves: Peter Mirrielees, Ben Nolan, Uili Koloofai, Shaun Tauti, Toby Morland, Chris Noakes, Casey Stone, Dan Snee, Carl Anderson.
Welington: Buxton Popoalii, Joe Hill, Tane Tu'ipulotu (vice-captain), Michael Hobbs, Brendan Watt, Dan Kirkpatrick, Alby Mathewson, Victor Vito, Serge Lilo, Chris Masoe, Api Naikatini, Jeremy Thrush (captain), Anthony Perenise, Dane Coles, John Schwalger.
Reserves: Ged Robinson, Donal McNamara, Bernie Upton, Thomas Waldron, Tomasi Palu, Seminar Manu, Tu Umaga-Marshall, Neemia Tialata.
