Horie, the Japanese test hooker, made an impact off the bench last week, impressing with his mobility around the field in his hour against Tasman.
Horie went on to the field with loose forward TJ Ioane last week and together the duo managed to get their side on to the front foot for it to win going away.
Ioane is becoming a fine impact player and Brown has once again put him on the bench.
Lee Allan, who has impressed in his first season in the Otago side, is back on the openside flank.
Brown has decided to go with five forwards on the bench, including two loose forwards, Ioane and Adam Hill, to boost stocks.
Brown said there were a couple of reasons to go for a forward-heavy bench.
"The Hawkes Bay team are a very forward-dominated side while we also have to look forward to Manawatu in a few days' time and we may look to give a few of the boys a chance to freshen up," Brown said.
He said players would not have designated times when they would come on or leave the field. Hill will wear the No 22 jersey as he was unable to fit into No 20, traditionally worn by the reserve halfback.
Otago takes on Manawatu in Palmerston North on Tuesday night so will have just three days in between games.
Manawatu plays Taranaki in a Ranfurly Shield challenge in New Plymouth tomorrow afternoon and, if causes an upset win, Otago will get a challenge straight away.
But Brown is not looking that far ahead, saying Hawkes Bay was the focus and he also doubted Taranaki would lose the shield.
The team had a clean bill of health with prop Liam Coltman slowly shrugging off the effects of the flu.
Prop Jacob Ellison, who has been on the sideline for more than four months because of a back injury, will get a run for the Otago Development side against Canterbury Maori at University Oval tomorrow.
Ellison ruptured a disc in his back but, with rest, is hopeful to be fit by the end of the season.
Scott Manson, who sprained his ankle against Counties-Manukau two weeks ago, is expected to be back next week for the final two games of the season.
Winger Kieran Moffat has had screws placed in his broken foot after an operation and is gone for the season having never made it on to the paddock.
Hawkes Bay will not name its team until this afternoon.
There are doubts over the availability of first five-eighth Dan Waenga and key utility back Andrew Horrell. Both suffered injuries in Hawkes Bay's last-gasp win over Bay of Plenty.
Otago v Hawkes Bay
Napier, tomorrow, 7.35pm
Otago: Tony Ensor, Marshall Suckling, Jayden Spence, Glenn Dickson, Buxton Popoali'i, Hayden Parker, Fumiaki Tanaka, Paul Grant (captain), Lee Allan, Gareth Evans, Rob Verbakel, Tom Franklin, Liam Coltman, Shota Horie, Tama Tuirirangi. Reserves: Sam Anderson-Heather, Aki Seiuli, Justin Ives, TJ Ioane, Brad Weber, Peter Breen, Adam Hill.
ITM Cup
The draw
Auckland v Counties-Manukau
• Auckland, Friday, 7.35pm
Taranaki v Manawatu
• New Plymouth, Saturday, 2.35pm
Wellington v North Harbour
• Wellington, Saturday, 5.35pm
Hawkes Bay v Otago
• Napier, Saturday, 7.35pm
Canterbury v Southland
• Christchurch, Sunday, 2.35pm
Bay of Plenty v Northland
• Mt Maunganui, Sunday, 4.35pm
Manawatu v Otago
• Palmerston North, Tuesday, 7.35pm
Taranaki v Waikato
• New Plymouth, Wednesday, 7.35pm
Tasman v Bay of Plenty
• Nelson, Thursday, 7.35pm
