Tom Franklin and Michael Collins have come back into the Otago side for its game against Auckland at Eden Park tomorrow night but the front row has taken a hit.
Both Franklin and Collins missed the loss last weekend to Canterbury and will be welcomed into the starting side.
Collins comes in at fullback for Tony Ensor, who drops out of the squad, while Franklin starts instead of Blair Tweed, who moves to the bench.
Collins has recovered from a calf strain and Franklin is over his groin strain.
Hooker Sam Anderson-Heather sustained a concussion in the loss to Canterbury and although he is making progress he will not be able to take the field.
He is replaced in the starting line-up by Sekonaia Pole. Nick Grogan, who has played more than 20 games for Manawatu, will be on the reserves bench.
Otago coach Cory Brown said it was a real shame for Anderson-Heather to miss the game after an impressive season.
"It was unfortunate as he was playing really good rugby and was really on top of his game.
"He seems to be returning to play pretty well but we could not risk him this week."
Brown said the next hooker off the rank locally could have been University rake Sam Sturgess but he is playing in Spain.
With Liam Coltman on All Blacks duty the hooking ranks were thin.
Brown said the remaining Otago B hooker was Lachie Landels, and he did not want to play another inexperienced player along with Pole so he got in touch with Grogan.
A former New Zealand Colt, Grogan had a falling out with the Manawatu union at the start of the season and pulled out of representative rugby, although he was not picked for the Mitre 10 Cup squad.
Grogan knew players in the Otago side and was keen to get involved.
He counted as a loan player.
Prop Hisa Sasagi is out for the rest of the season because of a hairline fracture of the eye socket so Kaikorai prop Jonah Aiona will make his first-class debut if he gets on the field.
Flanker James Lentjes left the field last weekend after a head clash but was not concussed and will start on the side of the scrum.
Fellow loose forward Dillon Hunt fractured his left hand in the game against Canterbury and is gone for the season.
Tei Walden, after impressing off the bench against Canterbury, returns to the starting side and will pair up with Matt Faddes in the midfield.
Auckland welcomes back a couple of experienced forwards into its side in prop Sam Prattley and loose forward Steven Luatua.
Both men have missed more than half of the Mitre 10 Cup.
Luatua will be looking to make a big impact as he ended the Super rugby season in fine form.
Auckland has been up and down all season and will be looking to tighten its defence which has conceded tries at just the wrong time.
The match will be played for the Lin Colling Memorial Trophy, held by Auckland.
Otago v Auckland
Auckland, tomorrow, 7.35pm
Otago: Michael Collins, Mitchell Scott, Matt Faddes, Tei Walden, Fa’asiu Fuata’i, Fletcher Smith, Jonathan Ruru, Paul Grant (captain), James Lentjes, Lee Allan, Tom Franklin, Josh Dickson, Donald Brighouse, Sekonaia Pole, Craig Millar. Reserves: Nick Grogan, Jonah Aiona, Mike Mata’afa, Blair Tweed, Naulia Dawai, Josh Walden, Scott Eade, Sio Tomkinson.
Auckland: Melani Nanai, Lolagi Visinia, Rikeo Ioane, Vince Aso, Pryor Collier, Simon Hickey (captain), Jono Hickey, Steve Luatua, Akira Ioane, Taleni Seu, Liaki Moli, Scott Scrafton, Marcel Renata, Kurt Eklund, Sam Prattley. Reserves: Blake Hill, Tom McHugh, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Ben Nee Nee, Josh Kaifa, Leon Fukofuka, Liam Steel, Latiume Fosita