Otago has rung the changes in its team to take on Tasman in Nelson on Friday night.
Coach Tony Brown has made seven changes to the side which took the field in the Ranfurly Shield defence against Hawkes Bay.
Some players are starting to feel the effects of a couple of extremely tough games over the past couple of weeks.
The game against Tasman is also only five days after an, at times, brutal match against Hawkes Bay so players have little time to recover.
Buxton Popoali'i moves to fullback after starting last Sunday's game on the wing.
His pace and elusiveness will be in much demand.
Matt Faddes makes his first appearance for Otago on the wing this year, Kieran Moffat moving to the left wing.
Faddes can drift in and out of games but has pace, which is an asset Otago does not appear to have a lot of in its outsides.
Jayden Spence starts at centre with Peter Breen beside him, back at second five-eighth.
There are plenty of changes in the forwards.
Flanker Willis Scott will make his starting debut for Otago on the openside flank while TJ Ioane, who has started the previous three games on the bench, will begin the game on the field. Scott hails from Nelson so should not lack for support.
In the middle row, Charlie O'Connell comes into the team and will start alongside Tom Franklin. Tom Donnelly has moved to the bench.
Craig Millar remains in the front row but he will have two new starting partners. Sam Anderson-Heather will play his 15th and blazer game for the side, starting at hooker.
Tama Tuirirangi is at tighthead prop, as Scott Manson has a rest.
Manson has a badly bruised elbow and Tuirirangi appears to be getting back to his best form after a slow start to the season because of a calf injury.
Liam Coltman has moved on to the reserves bench after a torrid start to the season, and is bound to get on to the field at some stage.
Tei Walden moves on to the reserves bench and will make his first-class debut if he goes on at some stage.
Walden had a concussion which delayed his start to the season but has played for the Otago under-20 team in the past couple of weeks.
A Taranaki product, he was a member of the New Zealand Colts team this year.
Tasman is shaping as a tough opponent for Otago and will have had a full week of rest.
It scored a resounding win over Counties-Manukau in Pukekohe last Friday night.
It is due to name its team today.
Otago team
to play Tasman
Otago: Buxton Popoali'i, Matt Faddes, Jayden Spence, Peter Breen, Kieran Moffat, Hayden Parker, Fumiaki Tanaka, Paul Grant (captain), Willis Scott, TJ Ioane, Tom Franklin, Charlie O'Connell, Tama Tuirirangi, Sam Anderson-Heather, Craig Millar.
Reserves: Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli, Tom Donnelly, Lee Allan, Josh Renton, Tei Walden, Fa'asiu Fuatai.
