Hooker Liam Coltman and flanker James Lentjes come into the starting side to take on Waikato in the Mitre 10 Cup championship final tomorrow night.
The duo replace Sekonaia Pole and Slade McDowall, who move to the bench.
Midfield back Matt Whaanga has recovered from a foot ligament injury, and takes his place in the reserves.
Coach Ben Herring is again going with six forwards on the reserves bench.
Otago has the advantage of having plenty of versatile
backs on the field, so it
can get away with having just the two reserves.
The experience of Coltman and Lentjes will be vital in a final, which often comes down to key moments and smart moves.
Herring said Coltman and Lentjes closed the game out very well last week, and it was decided to start the duo on Friday night.
It was tough on flanker McDowall, who has had an exceptional season and was in fine form against Waikato in the Ranfurly Shield win.
Kaikorai prop Jonah Aoina has come into the starting team in recent weeks and impressed.
It has been some rise for Aoina, who started the season as the third choice loosehead prop in the team. But with Aki Seiuli felled by a serious knee injury and Tom Hill failing to make the most of his chance, Aoina has come into the first choice XV and played well.
On the other side of the scrum Hisa Sasagi also continues to start for Otago, and has been strong at scrum time and also getting around the field.
Giorgio Bower has been the back-up tighthead prop for the past couple of games, with Donald Brighouse not selected.
It is tough for Brighouse, as he is on 49 games for the province, but Herring said Bower had to be rewarded for his fine form.
Otago has had a couple of short and sharp training sessions this week as it balances preparation and getting bodies right.
There were some tired and sore players after the rugged semifinal against Hawke's Bay last week, but Herring said the players were naturally enough very keen to play in the final.
Midfield back Sio Tomkinson injured a knee last week against Hawke's Bay, but he has come through all right and will start tomorrow night.
Winger Mitchell Scott had picked up some knocks over the season, but has again fronted for the match.
Waikato will finalise its team today but one weapon it has at its disposal tomorrow night will be gun winger Sevu Reece.
Reece did not play against Otago in the Ranfurly Shield match as he was stood down by the Waikato union following a court appearance on a charge of assaulting a female.
He was not convicted on the charge.
Reece is a dynamic player and scored four tries for Waikato in the semifinal win over Northland.
Otago team to play Waikato tomorrow night
Michael Collins (captain), Mitchell Scott, Matt Faddes, Sio Tomkinson, Vilimoni Koroi, Josh Ioane, Kurt Hammer, Dylan Nel, James Lentjes, Joketani Koroi, Josh Dickson, Sione Misiloi, Hisa Sasagi, Liam Coltman, Jonah Aoina. Reserves: Sekonaia Pole, Tom Hill, Giorgio Bower, Tom Rowe, Naulia Dawai, Slade McDowall, Josh Renton, Matt Whaanga.