Kelly Brazier has switched from fullback to first five-eighth with veteran Anna Richards while Carla Hohepa, normally a winger, has moved into centre.
New coach John Kyle said Brazier was placed at first five for a couple of reasons.
"We want to expose her to the Black Ferns selectors and show them what a fantastic player she is. And also she is very good at running and creating things from broken play," Kyle said.
He said putting Richards at fullback would help in organising players and calling people into position.
Kyle said moving Hohepa to centre was to get her more involved and use her pace and strength.
Young flanker Leyhana Van Vugt gets a start today on the blindside flank, Both Otago and Manawatu have yet to win a game this season, although both took positives out of their games last week.
Otago put on a gutsy defensive effort in going down 24-5 to the powerful Canterbury side while Manawatu lost 29-12 to Wellington in Palmerston North.
Kyle said the side could still make the semifinals if it picked up a couple of wins and bonus points would come into the equation.
It had to play Auckland in Auckland next week in its final game of the round robin.
Auckland, the defending champion, was yet to be beaten but had drawn with Wellington, and was playing Canterbury in Christchurch today.
Kyle said a four-try bonus point would be great today, but winning the game had to come first.
Kyle only took up the reins of coaching this week after the sudden resignation of Jonathon Homer two weeks ago, with union resource coach Phil Young stepping in last week to coach the side against Canterbury.
The union suspended two players, back Victoria Nafatali, and lock Nicky Crawford ,for drug use after the Hawkes Bay game two weeks ago.
Kyle said the side was in good spirits and had trained well this week.
The side enjoyed some technical training, and getting some patterns into their game, Kyle said.
Otago v Manawatu
Carisbrook, today, 2pm
Otago: Anna Richards, Natahlia Darling, Carla Hohepa, Rebecca Chittock, Janna Vaughan, Kelly Brazier, Zoey Berry, Ngamamae Rapata, Leyhana Van Vugt, Rachel Scott, Lauren Roney, Carrie Lobb, Beth Mallard, (captain), Rachel Ovens, Gemma Tuhega.
Reserves: Kathleen Wilton, Jess Tuhega, Megan Kane, Kate Hitchen, Chloe Trubshoe, Jamie Greene, Sheree Hume.
Manawatu: Selica Winiata (captain), Whanda Leota, Jenn James, Tuera Pirikahu, Mallory Townsend, Jessica Bennett, Kylie Winiata, Charlotte Arnopp-Scanlan, Ebony Low, Shanna Porima, Alesha Brider-Graham, Raylene Reiri, Crystal Nuitama, Ruth McKay, Kelly Toa.
Reserves: Nicci Kuiti, Rochelle Richardson, Rebecca Biss, Katy Townsend, Adi Biau, Elaine Lovett, Kelly Cameron.
