But it still has a core of experience in the forward pack with Tom Donnelly, Jason Macdonald and Kees Meeuws, all of who have played more than 50 games for the union, getting a start.
Glenn Dickson, who has played all of his rugby for Otago in the five-eighths, has been moved to fullback while Sam Giddens will start in the No 12 jersey.
Giddens will make his Otago debut along with centre Ben Atiga, winger Buxton Popoali'i, No 8 Gareth Evans, flanker Regan Tamihere and lock Daniel Ramsay.
There are five new faces on the bench for Otago: backs Matt Faddes and Jayden Spence, and forwards James McGougan, TJ Ioane and Rob Verbakel.
With Otago having a clean-out after last year, the first match was always going to be one with plenty of new faces.
Otago co-coach Andy Hunter said there was plenty of competition for places, which was a good spot to be in.
"There is some experience in there too and there were some difficult calls to make ... but with the intensity of the season not many players are going to be playing the full 80 minutes every week.
"We've got to make sure we have got enough players for the following week of games. We've had some good trainings and the guys are ready to play."
Evans, in just his second year out of school, is the surprise in the side, winning out over the more experienced Paul Grant in the duel for the No 8 jersey.
With snow and cold winds forecast for tomorrow night, Hunter said the focus would be on the need to get the basics right.
"We want to play a particular structure and getting the players skilled up with what their roles are within that structure. We're not asking players to do things radically different."
Set-piece play would obviously be important, he said, and getting the defence right.
Hunter said there had been no reference to last year when the team finished dead last in the ITM Cup.
"That is not a focus. A lot of the players were not here so there is no real point."
North Harbour, under new coach Liam Barry, has named an experienced side.
It will be captained by former Otago halfback Chris Smylie. Former All Black Rudi Wulf is back from France and will play at centre with youngsters Nafi Tuitavake and David Raikuna on the wings.
Former Otago back Willie Walker is on the bench after being overseas for nearly a decade. Ben Botica, the son of former All Black Frano, starts in the No 10 jersey.
Up front, former New Zealand sevens representative Solomon King is on the blindside flank.
Chris Smith returns to the pack after taking last year off.
North Harbour beat Otago 35-23 last year as Otago surrendered a big halftime lead.
Otago v North Harbour
Carisbrook, tomorrow, 7.35pm
Otago: Glenn Dickson, Joe Hill, Ben Atiga, Sam Giddens, Buxton Popoali'i, Tony Brown, Sean Romans, Gareth Evans, Eben Joubert (captain), Regan Tamihere, Tom Donnelly, Daniel Ramsay, Kees Meeuws, Jason Macdonald, Halani Aulika.
Reserves: Liam Coltman, James McGougan, Scott Manson, Rob Verbakel, TJ Ioane, Johnny Legg, Jayden Spence, Matt Faddes.
North Harbour: Codey Rei, David Raikuna, Rudi Wulf, Brendon Watt, Nafi Tuitavake, Ben Botica, Chris Smylie (captain), Mat Luamanu, Brent Wilson, Solomon King, James King, Chris Smith, Ben Afeaki, James Parsons, Michael Reid.
Reserves: Michael Mayhew, Taione Vea, James Afoa, Irwin Finau, Scott Uren, Luke Hamilton, Willie Walker, Ken Pisi.
