With regular skipper Sam Anderson-Heather struggling with a neck injury and his back-up Michael Collins also out injured, the captaincy has fallen to winger Mitchell Scott.
Scott, who started on the bench against Auckland but came on at halftime and played well in the second 40 minutes, has been handed the captaincy by coach Ben Herring.
Herring said Scott stood out as the best option.
``He's one of our senior guys and has been awesome for us in the environment. He speaks really well and is a guy that everyone really listens to,'' Herring said.
``Obviously out on the wing is not ideal for a captain but that is just the way it is. He can make himself heard. We are working on getting a few more voices in the forwards but they are growing into the roles.''
Anderson-Heather has been bothered by a neck injury and is taking time to get over it. He is unlikely to play against Tasman on Sunday.
Collins rolled his ankle just before halftime against Auckland and did not return to the field in the second half.
Herring hoped to get Collins back for the Ranfurly Shield challenge on October 13.
Flanker James Lentjes is back on the bench after not playing at all this season. He had a prolapsed disc in his neck, picked up in Super Rugby, and there looked little chance of him playing for Otago this season.
Herring said Lentjes' return to training was a credit to physiotherapist Anne Wilson.
She has aggressively treated the injury Lentjes had and managed to get him back in contact training when it looked as if his season was over. Lentjes had come through a full training session well yesterday and was excited about his return.
Wilson had a background in MMA so knew how to treat players who had heavy contact injuries.
Flanker Slade McDowall, who had an excellent game against Auckland, is sitting the game out after taking a few big hits. Naulia Dawai starts on the openside flank.
Sio Tomkinson will start in the midfield with Matt Whaanga moving to the bench.
The inclusion of Lentjes on the bench means just two backs are in the reserves. Whaanga is joined by halfback Melani Matavao.
Herring said the team had come through the match against Auckland well and had a training run yesterday. It would have a short run at the stadium today. Spirits were good in the side but the team needed to continue to play well.
Bay of Plenty was scheduled to fly into Dunedin last night with an extended squad and name its team today.
It would stay in the south for the rest of the week, as it takes on Southland in Invercargill on Sunday.