Otago has not got off to the start it has wanted in the Air New Zealand Cup, with narrow defeats to both Wellington and Southland in the first two rounds.
But Otago coach Steve Martin has kept faith with the bulk of his starting side, making just two changes, in what looms as a must-win game for the home team.
Prop Sam Hibbard comes into the side, swapping places with Kees Meeuws, while Luke Herden comes in at second five-eighth and Andrew Parata goes to the bench.
Hibbard, in his first season at this level, does not look out of place in the heat of the battle in the front row, while Meeuws is preferred off the bench by Otago.
Herden has been around the club scene for a good few years but has lost weight this season and added a bit of speed to his game.
After a career as a loan player with North Otago, he played two games for Otago off the bench in 2007.
Tomorrow night will be the first start for the 31-year-old in an Otago jersey.
Otago assistant coach Bruce Carvell said the side was not far away in the two opening games of the competition.
"The guys have been playing all right and we're not going to push the panic button. We've had two narrow losses against two very good sides," Carvell said.
He said Herden had worked very hard in the off-season and offered something different from other midfielders.
Lock Tom Donnelly is training with the All Blacks in Auckland today but was keen to front up tomorrow night.
Carvell said the side just needed to work hard and keep up the pressure for the entire 80 minutes.
"We've got to put the foot on the throat for the whole game and take the opportunities when they come along."
Otago has played well in patches in its first two games, but needs to be more ruthless in both attack and defence.
In last week's 26-19 loss to Southland, Otago made line breaks and got over the advantage line but costly wrong options led to it scoring just the one try.
All Black Luke McAlister will get his first start in a North Harbour jersey for three years and will be in the No 10 jersey, replacing Michael Harris, who moves to the bench.
North Harbour was to have also welcomed back All Black winger Rudi Wulf, who has recovered from damaging his left shoulder when training with the All Blacks for the test against France in Dunedin in June.
But he injured himself at training yesterday and Ken Pisi comes into the team, joining his older brother George in the North Harbour backline.
North Harbour coach Craig Dowd has made seven changes in all to his starting side, in response to the side's disappointing 19-15 loss at home to Tasman last Friday night.
Former Otago halfback Chris Smylie has been replaced by Matt France, while two sons of former All Black and current North Harbour doctor John Mayhew are in the team.
Richard Mayhew will play No 8, replacing Viliame Ma'afu, and Michael Mayhew will be at hooker, replacing James Parsons, who broke his leg against Tasman.
Malaki Ravulo comes into the openside flank position in place of Robbie Colhoun, who moves to the reserves.
Otago and North Harbour last played in 2007, when Otago won 31-22 at Carisbrook.
• OTAGO v NORTH HARBOUR
Carisbrook, tomorrow, 7.35pm.
Otago: Ben Smith, Karne Hesketh, Brett Mather, Luke Herden, Ryan Shortland, Chris Noakes, Sean Romans, Steven Setephano, Alando Soakai (captain), Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Hayden Triggs, Sam Hibbard, Jason Macdonald, Ben Nolan.
- Reserves: Peter Mirrielees, Kees Meeuws, Hoani Matenga, Paul Grant, Johnny Legg, Glenn Dickson, Andrew Parata.
North Harbour: Jack McPhee, Anthony Tuitavake (captain), George Pisi, Andrew Mailei, Ken Pisi, Luke McAlister, Matt France, Richard Mayhew, Malaki Ravulo, Chris Smith, Filo Paulo, James King, Ben Afeaki, Michael Mayhew, James Afoa.
- Reserves: Joe Royal, Michael Reid, Robbie Colhoun, Vilame Ma'afu, Nalu Tuigamalu, Michael Harris, Nafi Tuitavaka.
