Noakes achieves a milestone today by being the first University A first-five-eighth to captain Otago since Kirton.
"I'm thrilled to get the chance," Noakes (22) said after leading the captain's training run yesterday.
"Earle's a legend in All Black rugby and it's a great honour to follow in his footsteps."
Kirton played 100 games for Otago between 1960 and 1969, and 49 games for the All Blacks between 1963-70.
Noakes (22) was named captain of the Otago team to play a warm-up game against Mid Canterbury at the Ashburton Showgrounds today when original captain Sean Romans, his flat-mate, pulled out because of hamstring problems.
Romans has been replaced at halfback by Johnny Legg, who will play his first game for Otago.
James Kenny has been added to the reserves.
Noakes does not have much experience as a captain but demonstrated his ability when captaining University A in a few games this winter.
He was pleased by the big 79-3 win against North Otago last week.
"We had good combinations and our pattern worked efficiently," he said.
"The forwards provided good ball for the backs.
"I'm keen for us to continue our progress and get a performance we are happy with."
Noakes, who has played 16 first-class games for Otago over the past two years, said there had not been any official talk about the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Wellington on July 31.
"But it is at the back of everyone's minds," he said.
"These early games are helping us to get our pattern working.
"The Shield match is good motivation for these warm-up games. Everyone wants to be named in the 22 for the Wellington game."
Noakes, the goal-kicker in today's game, has scored 61 first-class points for Otago.
He kicked a long-range penalty goal in the last minute to give Otago a 25-23 win over Southland at Invercargill last year.
In the 1970s and '80s Mid Canterbury provided good competition for Canterbury and Otago and often won, but it is different today.
"It is a big occasion for us to play a first division team," Mid Canterbury coach Trevor Bokser told the Otago Daily Times.
"This is my third year as coach and it is the first time we have played a first division team."
Mid Canterbury was runner-up to Wanganui in last year's Heartland competition.
Bokser has named an experienced pack, with lock Joel Hewson the only newcomer.
He replaces Dan Dwyer, who is not available this year.
The backline is inexperienced, with halfback Chris Lock, winger Michael Connell and midfield back Hayden Dwyer playing their first games for the province
Otago v Mid Canterbury
Ashburton, today, 2pm
Otago: Glenn Dickson, Karne Hesketh, Brett Mather, Luke Herden, Lucky Mulipola, Chris Noakes (captain), Johnny Legg, Paul Grant, Eben Joubert, Charlie O'Connell, Hoani Matenga, Hayden Triggs, Peter van de Merwe, Pete Mirrielees, Ben Nolan.
Reserves: Jason Macdonald, James Cooper, Junior Maiono, Adam Hill, James Kenny, Sam Young, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Andrew Parata.
Mid Canterbury: Richard Fridd, Jason Feutz, Manase Nonu, Hayden Dwyer, Michael Connell, Dan Maw, Chris Lock, Pete McAndrew, Jason Gill, Jon Dampney, Malcolm Cairns, Joel Hewson, Jason Rickard, James Carr, Craig Dunlea,
Reserves: Geoff Nash, Chad Stewart, Paddy Davis, Tolu Tokalua, Tony Purpuru, Siola Fifita, James Buchanan, Des Kruger, Jerome Paese.
