Kinikinilau (24) comes into the team after a couple of spells off the bench in the past two weeks. His inclusion means Josh Tatupu is moved into second five-eighth and Glenn Dickson is shunted to the bench.
Otago coach Phil Mooney said Kinikinilau had played well in his appearances over the past two weeks so he deserved a start.
In other changes, Ben Smith has recovered from injuries picked up at the Commonwealth Games sevens tournament and slots back into fullback, Joe Hill moves to the right wing and Ryan Shortland misses out.
Hoani Matenga replaces Tom Donnelly who is back in the All Black squad and Cameron returns to the team on the blindside flank.
Kees Meeuws has still not got over his knee injury meaning Sam Hibbard and Halani Aulika will prop the scrum.
Otago, which is buried at the bottom of the table, will have plenty to play for tomorrow night at Carisbrook.
After a wretched season, many of them may be playing their final game in the blue and gold jersey and, more importantly, if Otago wins it should pass Manawatu on the ladder.
Both teams have won two games although Manawatu has three more bonus points.
Manawatu has been hard hit by injuries throughout the season, and the curse continues right to its final game of the season.
No 8 Hamish Gosling, midfield back Francis Bryant and reserve hooker Sean O'Connor will all miss the game, while national sevens representatives Lote Raikabula and Tomasi Cama are still nursing injuries from Delhi and will not be sighted.
But the side does include discarded All Black first five-eighth Aaron Cruden.
Former Otago representatives Craig Clare and captain Grant Polson will line up for Manawatu along with ex-Dunedin club players Doug Tietjens and Casey Stone.
OTAGO v MANAWATU
Tomorrow, 5.30pm, Carisbrook
Otago: Ben Smith, Joe Hill, Paula Kinikinilau, Josh Tatapu, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Chris Noakes, Sean Romans, Paul Grant, Alando Soakai (captain), Brad Cameron, Hayden Triggs, Hoani Matenga, Sam Hibbard, Peter Mirrielees, Halani Aulika.
Reserves: Sam Anderson-Heather, Scott Manson, Josh Townsend, Charlie O'Connell, Johnny Legg, Glenn Dickson, Chris Small.
Manawatu: Craig Clare, Shannon Paku, Hadleigh Parkes, Johnny Leota, Casey Stone, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, James Oliver, Callum Gibbins, Doug Tietjens, Fraser Stone, Michael Fitzgerald, Ma'afu Fia, Rob Foreman, Grant Polson (captain).
Reserves: Bryn Templeman, Donal McNamara, Reece Robinson, Bertus Mulder, Karl Bryson, Isaac Thompson, Lewis Marshall.
• Northland held off a desperate Bay of Plenty to win a see-sawing ITM Cup match 36-24 in Whangarei last night.
Bay of Plenty went into the match lying sixth on the table and needing a bonus-try win to give itself the best chance of a semifinals berth.
However, Northland - out of the running for playoff honours in 10th place - played the spoiler to perfection.
- Northland 36 (David Holwell, Aaron Bancroft, Dean Budd, Rhyan Caine, Simon Munro tries; Lachie Munro 4 con, pen) Bay of Plenty 24 (Taniela Moa, Josh Hohneck, Grant McQuoid tries; Mike Delany 2 con; Colin Bourke con, pen). Halftime: 17-14.
