While Otago could sneak in to the championship playoffs with one win from its final two games, it is practically must-win territory for the blue and golds.
Bay of Plenty is propping Otago up at the bottom of the table with just one win from its eight games and already has the wooden spoon in the bag.
Only winless Wellington has conceded more points than Bay of Plenty's 267 and Otago will fancy its chances of adding to the tally.
Liam Coltman, who will play his 50th game for Otago, will have tighthead prop Scott Manson at his side again, as Donald Brighouse drops to the bench.
Naulia Dawai, who was impressive in last week's loss against Tasman in the No 6 jersey, makes way for TJ Ioane, who returns after his partner gave birth to their second child.
James Lentjes will start at openside flanker after a week off nursing a sore shoulder, while his replacement last week, Hugh Blake, shuffles to the bench.
Teihorangi Walden returns to the side and will partner Michael Collins in the midfield, pushing Jayden Spence to the right wing, to replace Marshall Suckling.
With fullback Tony Ensor unavailable for selection due to All Blacks Sevens commitments, Trent Renata returns to the starting side after a rest.
Nick Ealey again gets the nod over Josh Renton at halfback, while Hayden Parker and Fa'asiu Fuatai also keep their spots in the line-up.
Captain Charlie O'Connell is two weeks recovered from his quad injury to start at No 8, while the second row is unchanged with Joe Latta and Tom Franklin starting.
Lee Allan misses a second straight game after he copped a nasty head knock in the win against Waikato a fortnight ago.
Kieran Moffat drops out of the squad for the last regular-season away game.
*Auckland is on the cusp of sealing a Premiership semifinal berth after wiping the floor 60-19 with Waikato, even as the rain came down at Eden Park last night.
The tries certainly rained down, although few would have predicted nine on such a damp night, which drew about 2000 fans.
It was a record score for Auckland against Waikato, bettering the 50 points racked up by the great 1984 NPC-winning team.
Auckland 60 (George Moala 2, Junior Poluleuligaga, Lolagi Visinia, Gafatasi Sua, Joe Edwards, Gareth Anscombe, Jack Whetton, Blake Gibson tries; Anscombe 4 con, pen, Simon Hickey 2 con), Waikato 19 (Loni Uhila, Anton Lienert-Brown, Hame Faiva tries; Damian McKenzie 2 con). Halftime: 34-0. - Additional reporting NZ Herald
