In a match in which Otago will seek to cement third on the ladder, it has made eight changes to the starting team which disposed of North Harbour last Thursday.
The backline changes mean the reappearance of Tony Ensor and Fletcher Smith in the starting line-up while lock Blair Tweed comes back into the team and props Donald Brighouse and Aki Seiuli get a start.
Charlie O'Connell will start at No8, while James Lentjes will play his third straight game after a spell on the sideline from concussion.
Michael Collins and Tei Walden will team up in the midfield, with Jayden Spence on the wing.
Peter Breen, who has scored 50 points for Otago in the past two games, will come off the bench, along with loose forward Naulia Dawai and props Hisa Sasagi and Craig Millar.
Otago coach Cory Brown said the decision to make the changes had been planned well in advance and the side had the depth to manage the change in players.
''It is about managing the individual. Someone like Matt Faddes has played a lot of rugby both for his club and for us.
''He has been going well but players start to carry a few injuries and they need to be managed,'' he said.
''Tom Franklin is another. He played a lot of Super rugby, then got an injury and has played quite a few games for us.
''But we have got good depth there and the guys are all contributing. When they get on they are all taking their chance.''
All teams have to play one game midweek, and Otago is luckier than most having its games spread over 11 days.
Others have had to play three matches in eight days.
Otago will be forced to get on three planes for the long trip to Whangarei, and will not get back to Dunedin until Thursday afternoon to get ready to take on Bay of Plenty on Sunday at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Brown said the congested competition was just a fact of life.
Many coaches had complained the tight nature of the competition limited time on the training field and the ability to work closely with players and improve their skills.
Brown said the issue for him was more about player welfare.
''Guys do not get enough time for rest and recovery which is crucial for players. They get fatigued, get dehydrated and go into games not fully recovered and carrying injuries.''
Brown said the coaches planned for that by having short, sharp trainings and keeping players as fresh as possible.
Northland has not only failed to win a game but has not picked up a bonus point in any of its eight games.
The side has been competitive, though, and knows how to beat Otago, getting over it last year at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Highlanders loose forward Dan Pryor will start at No8 and promising halfback Sam Nock will link with his forwards.
Otago v Northland
Whangarei, tomorrow, 7.35pm
Otago: Tony Ensor, Jayden Spence, Michael Collins, Tei Walden, Jack Wilson, Fletcher Smith, Josh Renton, Charlie O'Connell, James Lentjes, Jackson Hemopo, Blair Tweed, Josh Dickson, Donald Brighouse, Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli. Reserves: Sekonaia Pole, Hisa Sasagi, Craig Millar, Adam Knight, Naulia Dawai, Kaide Whiting, Peter Breen, Sio Tomkinson.
Northland: Matt Wright, Dave Thomas, Warren Dunn, Troy Gilbert, Jordan Hyland, Dan Hawkins, Sam Nock, Dan Pryor, Taniela Manu, Jaycob Manu, Shane Neville, Sean Sweetman, Namatahi Waa, Matt Moulds (captain), Ross Wright. Reserves: Jordan Olsen, Howard Sililoto, Matai Navarez, Michael Stolberg, Kara Pryor, Kurt Davies, Tyler Lansdowne, Waisea Lawbuka.
