The side will play its one-off Wednesday match of the season tomorrow night and, with half an eye on the match against Auckland this Sunday, coach Tony Brown has decided to rest some players.
Inside backs Fumiaki Tanaka and Hayden Parker, who have started every game, have been named in the reserves.
Halfback Josh Renton makes his starting debut for Otago and will pair up with Peter Breen, who will wear the No 10 jersey.
Outside him at second five-eighth will be Tei Walden, also making his starting debut for Otago.
In other changes to the backline, Matt Faddes comes on to the left wing in place of the injured Fa'asiu Fuatai, Jayden Spence moves out to centre and Kieran Moffat is rested.
In the forwards, Hugh Blake comes into the loose forward trio and Lee Allan moves to the blindside role.
Ezra Taylor starts at lock in place of Tom Donnelly, while Sam Anderson-Heather gets his first start of the season. Liam Coltman is in the reserves.
Northland has a southern connection in its side - Highlanders loose forward Jake Paringatai starts at No 8 and Highlanders prop Bronson Murray is on the tighthead side of the front row.
The home side will be led by former All Black Rene Ranger, in his penultimate game for the Taniwha before he leaves for a club contract in France.
Otago travelled to Whangarei by bus yesterday and will have a light run today as it looks to fully recover from its victory over North Harbour last Saturday.
If Otago wins in Whangarei, it will have qualified for the Championship semifinals, as it can not be caught by fifth-placed Manawatu.
Otago v Northland
Whangarei, tomorrow, 7.35pm
Otago: Tony Ensor, Buxton Popoali'i, Jayden Spence, Tei Walden, Matt Faddes, Peter Breen, Josh Renton, Paul Grant (captain), Hugh Blake, Lee Allan, Tom Franklin, Ezra Taylor, Scott Manson, Sam Anderson-Heather, Craig Millar. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli, Charlie O'Connell, TJ Ioane, Gareth Evans, Fumiaki Tanaka, Hayden Parker.
Northland: Mathew Wright, Whiria Meltzer, Rene Ranger (centre), Viliami Tahitu'a, Mateo Malupo, Ben Seymour, Mac Sykes, Jake Paringatai, Dan Pryor, Roy Griffin, Bryce Williams, Tom Murday, Bronson Murray, Matt Moulds, Ross Wright. Reserves: John Will-Griff, Dave Morgan, Ben Berridge, Sonatane Takulua, Daniel Hawkins, Derek Carpenter.
