In the only change in the backline, Michael Collins takes the place of Jayden Spence at centre and Matt Faddes comes on to the bench.
In the forwards, flankers Adam Hill and TJ Ioane get starts, Lee Allan drops out of the match-day 22 and Gareth Evans moves to the bench.
Lock Justin Ives makes his starting debut for Otago in the ITM Cup and Tom Franklin goes to the reserves.
Franklin has impressed this season, getting around the field, and making some big hits on defence.
In the front row, Aki Seiuli will take the place of Liam Coltman on the tighthead side, and Sam Anderson-Heather is back in his starting role at hooker.
Tama Tuirirangi continues in the loosehead propping role.
Coltman, who was bashed around in the 21-15 loss to Hawkes Bay last Saturday, will be in the reserves, along with hooker Shota Horie.
Otago coach Tony Brown has resisted the temptation to drop fullback Tony Ensor who had a disappointing game againstHawkes Bay. He will remain in the No 15 jersey, with Faddes as back-up.
Otago is in second place on the championship table and a win tonight could all but cement its place in the semifinals.
The way the competition is set up, with four out of seven teams making the semifinals, teams probably have to win only half their games at best to get into playoff action.
As Otago has four wins from seven games, a victory tonight should assure it of making the semifinals.
Its final two games of the season, before any talk of finals rugby can begin, are against heavyweights Wellington and Auckland, both at home at Forsyth Barr Stadium. A win over either of them is going to be tough going.
Otago was only just off the pace against Hawkes Bay on Saturday and with an ounce of luck and better execution would have come out the victor.
It needs to be more accurate tonight, get a lot more continuity into its game, and remain composed under pressure.
Much will depend on first five-eighth Hayden Parker and halfback Fumiaki Tanaka.
Second five-eighth Glenn Dickson has looked sound throughout the season but if he played a bigger role Otago would be much the better.
Prop Seiuli is a good ball-runner but there are doubts over his ability in the scrum.
After going all the way to the final last year, and just losing to Hawkes Bay, Manawatu has failed to get out of first gear this season, and has only two wins.
It had its eyes on making history and taking the Ranfurly Shield last Saturday, against Taranaki. The Turbos started strongly but the wheels feel off in the second half and they ended up on the wrong end of a 59-18 scoreline.
Manawatu coach Jason O'Halloran has lost first five-eight Tomasi Cama to a sevens camp and he is replaced by Nathan George.
No 8 Hamish Gosling will undergo a fitness test just before the game.
Experienced lock Reece Robinson comes into the side to replace Fraser Stone
Otago v Manawatu
Palmerston North, tonight, 7.35pm
Referee: Nick Briant (Bay of Plenty)
TAB odds: Otago $1.57, Manawatu $2.30
Otago: Tony Ensor, Marshall Suckling, Michael Collins, Glenn Dickson, Buxton Popoali'i, Hayden Parker, Fumiaki Tanaka, Paul Grant (captain), Adam Hill, TJ Ioane, Rob Verbakel, Justin Ives, Aki Seiuli, Sam Anderson-Heather, Tama Tuirirangi. Reserves: Shota Horie, Liam Coltman, Tom Franklin, Gareth Evans, Brad Weber, Peter Breen, Matt Faddes.
Manawatu: Lewis Marshall, Craig Clare, Jason Emery, Matenga Baker, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Nathan George, Papa Wharewera, Hamish Gosling or Antonio Kiri Kiri, Callum Gibbins, Nick Crosswell (captain), Michael FitzGerald, Reece Robinson, Ma'afu Fia, Rob Foreman, Grant Polson. Reserves: Bryn Templeman, Eric Fry, Fraser Stone, Antonio Kiri Kiri or Mua Sala, Karl Bryson, Shaun Curry, Willie Paia'aua.
