Athletic Marist tighthead prop Palenapa Mafi will start, while Don Lolo, who is returning from injury and playing with the Development XV, will lock the scrum with Sale Pi'i.
In the backs, Ben Palmer gets a start at first five-eighth, displacing Stephen Fenemor, who had been first choice for North Otago's opening four games in the Heartland Championship.
Palmer, when he has entered games off the bench, has shown a willingness to attack the line, and he is also an accurate goal kicker.
Brad Mc-Kenzie, who made his first-class debut in the disappointing loss to King Country last week, has retained his place at fullback.
In the reserves, prop Thomas Shields returns from injury, as does flanker Matt Duff.
Unbeaten Thames Valley is lying in fourth place after wins over King Country (15-10), Mid Canterbury (20-15) and East Coast (20-8), and an opening-day draw with Horowhenua-Kapiti (19-19).
The Swamp Foxes, Buller and Horowhenua-Kapiti are the only unbeaten sides after round rounds.
First five-eighth David Harrison will be a key player for the home side. The 30-year-old has played nearly 90 games for Thames Valley and had scored 582 points going into this season.
An interesting figure is reserve halfback Aaron McDonald (40), who made his debut in 1996 and has played 92 games for his union. He shares the halfback position with a player half his age, 20-year-old Richard Judd.
In other key games in the fifth round, Buller (18 points) plays defending champion Mid Canterbury (13) in Ashburton, and South Canterbury (15) meets Poverty Bay (15) in Timaru.
- Terry O'Neill
North Otago v Thames Valley
Paeroa, today, 2pm
North Otago: Brad McKenzie, Simeli Koniferedi, Lemi Masoe, Ekeroma Sauileoge, Tenina Sauileoge, Ben Palmer, Robbie Smith, Samisoni Tongotongo, Manulua Taiti, Josh Clark (captain), Don Lolo, Sale Pi'i, Rob Mafileo, Ralph Darling, Palenapa Mafi. Reserves: Thomas Shields, Hayden Tisdall, Sione Teu, Matt Duff, Cameron Keenan, Stephen Fenemor, Joe Marston.
Thames Valley: Lance Easton, Josh Turner, Matt Hema, Joe Murray, Jason Laurich, David Harrison, Richard Judd, Pedro Scardapane, Adrian Holmes, Pepa Koloamatangi, Brett Ranga (captain), Kent McFarlane, Grahan Dewes, Blake Hill, Kieran Ramage. Reserves: Hayden Wisnewski, Haere Renata, Glenn Townsend, Siaosi Lelenoa, Aaron McDonald, Reuben Leask, Peni Kamakorewa.
