Ben Smith is also back in the side, after being released by the All Blacks, while halfback Johnny Legg makes his first start for the season as Otago looks to manage its players in a hectic season.
Adam Hill has been picked on the openside flank, with Eben Joubert out for the season with a knee injury, and TJ Ioane is out for tomorrow night's match at least, also suffering from a knee injury.
The team has made 10 changes to the side which lost narrowly to Northland in Whangarei on Saturday.
With the side having to play Southland on Saturday in the final game at Carisbrook, co-coach Andy Hunter said the changes were due to injuries and player management.
"A lot of players have played a lot of rugby and this will highlight the depth in our team now. It had to come with the amount of games we are playing in such a short time and is a great opportunity for these players," he said.
Prop Scott Manson also makes his first start for Otago, while lock Tom Franklin may get his chance to make his Otago debut after being named on the bench.
Hunter said although Stead was not named in the squad, he was always a chance to come into the Otago team.
"He is deserving of his selection. He has been one of the standout players in club rugby and ... and is excited to be given this opportunity."
Otago needs to get back into winning form quickly, after losing its past two games. It is still handily placed in the championship, lying third, three points behind Hawkes Bay.
Losing captain Joubert was a massive blow, Hunter admitted, but he would still play a part off the field for the side. Lock Tom Donnelly would take over the captaincy of the side.
Hill was the only option left to wear the No 7 jersey. Ioane has suffered damage to knee cartilage and it is not yet clear how long he would be unavailable.
Prop Halani Aulika is in the reserves and will play his final game for Otago this season, as he leaves for World Cup training with Tonga on Thursday.
Glenn Dickson moves into the second five-eighth position to allow Smith to move to his preferred fullback position.
Counties-Manukau has 10 points on the table, the same as Otago, but has a slightly worse points differential.
It lost narrowly to Southland in Invercargill on Friday night and has spent the intervening days in Queenstown.
It has also made a raft of changes to its side, with big loose forward Fritz Lee not in the 23-man squad, while game-breaking backs Sherwin Stowers and Tasesa Lavea are in the reserves.
Otago v Counties-Manukau
Carisbrook, tomorrow, 5.35pm
Otago: Ben Smith, Joe Hill, Jayden Spence, Glenn Dickson, Buxton Popoali'i, Tony Brown, Johnny Legg, Andrew Stead, Adam Hill, Paul Grant, Tom Donnelly (captain), Rob Verbakel, James McGougan, Liam Coltman, Scott Manson.
Reserves: Kees Meeuws, Jason Macdonald, Halani Aulika, Tom Franklin, Gareth Evans, Sean Romans, Hayden Parker, Ben Atiga.
Counties-Manukau: James Semple, Tyrone Lefau, Siale Piutau, Niva Ta'auso, Bundee Aki, Bayden Kerr, Augustine Pulu, Viliami Fihaki, Mark Selwyn, Adam Cathcart, Jamie Chipman (captain), Chris McLaren, Matt Talaese, Grant Henson, Ihipa Thompson.
Reserves: Mark Price, Jeremiah Fatialofa, Simon Lemalu, Taiasina Tuifua, DJ Forbes, Samisoni Fisilau, Tasesa Lavea, Sherwin Stowers.
