Two are because of injury, with Charlie O'Connell starting at No 8 in place of Adam Thomson and Fetu'u Vainikolo replacing Ryan Shortland on the wing, while experienced hooker Peter Mirrielees regains his jersey from Wyatt McKay.
Paul Grant comes into the reserves as loose forward cover and is joined by first five-eighth Chris Noakes, poised for his first appearance of the season.
O'Connell gets a second start, with the outstanding Thomson out for the season with a knee injury, and coach Phil Mooney is confident the Taieri man will step up.
"In Charlie's first game, he was really busy. He gives us a good running option," Mooney said yesterday.
"He and the rest of the forwards will have to work hard to replace Adam."
For Mirrielees and Vainikolo, tomorrow night's game will offer an opportunity for redemption after falling out of favour in recent weeks.
Mirrielees was stood down for two games for breaching team protocol after an alcohol-related incident.
"It's another chance for Peter and it's important he leads the way. We want him to show some leadership, again to pick up a bit of the slack that Adam left behind."
Vainikolo has been the definition of frustrating. When he is in space and in form, he is the best attacking weapon Otago has, but both have been in short supply.
"I've been really impressed with how Fetu'u has trained the last couple of weeks," Mooney said.
"He's played for the Bs and they've had a couple of good performances. He realises this is a pretty big opportunity for him. We'll look to him to get his hands on the ball as often as he can and do what he does well."
Shortland is out for a week, possibly two, with a knee injury, while promising reserve first five Hayden Parker could be gone for the season after damaging an ankle at training this week.
While Otago has eight players on the injured list, Bay of Plenty has welcomed back lock Culum Retallick from concussion and second five Phil Burleigh from a twisted ankle.
Hooker John Pareanga will earn his 50th cap, while former Otago players Brett Mather and Luke Andrews start against their old team.
A third ex-Otago player, Ben Smith, is on the bench, and may again be on the same field as his Otago namesake.
Former North Otago first five Dan Waenga is on a halfback-less Bay of Plenty bench.
Otago v Bay of Plenty
Otago: Ben Smith, Joe Hill, Josh Tatupu, Andrew Parata, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Glenn Dickson, Sean Romans, Charlie O'Connell, Alando Soakai (captain), Brad Cameron, Hayden Triggs, Josh Townsend, Kees Meeuws, Peter Mirrielees, Halani Aulika. Reserves: Wyatt McKay, Sam Hibbard, Hoani Matenga, Paul Grant, Johnny Legg, Chris Noakes, Chris Small.
Bay of Plenty: Toby Arnold, Lelia Masaga, Brett Mather, Phil Burleigh, Jason Hona, Mike Delany, Taniela Moa, Colin Bourke (captain), Tanerau Latimer, Luke Braid, Culum Retallick, Luke Andrews, Tristan Moran, John Pareanga, Josh Hohneck. Reserves: Simon Chisholm, Joe Savage, Luke Katene, Solomon King, Dan Waenga, Cory Aporo, Ben Smith.
