It is a big call but one rookie coach Nathan King has been forced into with so many players unavailable or injured.
In an ideal world, Otago spearheads Neil Wagner and Jacob Duffy would be sharing the new ball but they are unavailable due to New Zealand A commitments.
And with pace bowlers Craig Smith (calf), Bradley Scott (hand), Warren Barnes (ankle) and Sam Blakely (ankle) ruled out with injury, King has had to call in veteran Green Island medium-pacer Dion Lobb and Taieri right-armer Jack Hunter.
One of them will probably carry the drinks.
It might be Lobb, with Hunter perhaps shaping as the best man to open the bowling alongside Rae.
King said a decision on the starting XI would be made this morning but he ruled out the prospect of Black Caps all-rounder Jimmy Neesham opening the bowling.
The good news is Neesham is fully fit and there are guidelines rather than restrictions in regards to his bowling load.
At a pinch, perhaps all-rounder Sam Wells could open alongside Rae, but whoever gets the role might not get too much assistance from the pitch at Nelson Park.
King expected to be greeted by a well-grassed strip but instead discovered a rather more barren offering.
''[The pitch] did not have a lot of green grass on it which is what we are used to up here. The training wickets looked similar, as they should, and they were a little bit more on the slow side.''
King was hoping for a wicket with pace and bounce to help out what is an inexperienced seam attack.
King confirmed Rae would take the new ball. He has played four first-class games for Otago and has taken five wickets at an average of 62.80.
Hunter (20) will be making his debut if he gets the nod, while Lobb would be making his first appearance for the province in eight years.
Former Northern Districts captain Brad Wilson and North East Valley wicketkeeper Adam Miles will be making their Otago debuts.
While Otago has a decent batting line-up, picking up 20 wickets will be a challenge for the bowling unit.
''We have to be really smart around our bowling plans. We don't have a lot of experience to rely on like we do with the batting.
''All we ask of the bowlers that are given the job is they do it to the best of their ability.''
King will be making his debut proper as a head coach. He had a stint as interim coach when former coach Vaughn Johnson resigned towards the end of the 2013-14 season.
''I usually don't get too nervous until we are just about to start,'' King said.
''At this stage I'm pretty relaxed and looking forward to it.''
Central Districts are down on strike power as well, with Ben Wheeler (back), Bevan Small (shoulder), Adam Milne ( New Zealand A) and Seth Rance (family reasons) all unavailable for selection.
Black Caps seamer Doug Bracewell is available, though, and will boost the attack, while Ross Taylor is returning from groin surgery and will be looking to get into some good touch ahead of the Black Caps tour of Australia.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old all-rounder Josh Clarkson has been included in the Stags squad for the first time following some strong performances in warm-up matches against Wellington last week.
The forecast looks promising for four uninterrupted days of cricket, although some gusty northwesterlies might make the final day a bit of a grind.
In the other games, Auckland will host Canterbury at Eden Park Outer Oval and Northern Districts will be at home at Seddon Park for its match with Wellington.
