Forced to go back to club rugby to pick his team, Brown has been pleasantly surprised about what he has found.
"We are rebuilding in some ways from scratch, and that gives us a great opportunity not only for players but to get good support from people in Otago and get a good crowd on Saturday," Brown said.
Of the 31-man squad Brown named last month, more than half were born or raised in the Otago province.
Whether that equates to success will all come out in the wash over the next eight weeks.
But one thing is certain: the side, which is captained and coached by two former South Otago High School pupils, will have plenty of pride in the blue and gold colours.
In the side to take the field against Northland tomorrow, captain Paul Grant has been shifted to lock to accommodate Adam Thomson at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Grant is usually a No 8 and had an impressive game in that position against Southland last Friday. But with the inclusion of Thomson, who has been released from the All Black squad, coach Brown has shuffled his forward pack.
Brown said all three of the loose forwards who played against Southland last week had played well.
With Thomson coming into the team, he decided to move Grant further forward and get the best team possible on to the park.
Thomson's fellow All Black squad member Tamati Ellison comes straight into the side and will make his Otago debut at centre.
The inclusion of the duo has been warmly welcomed by Brown.
"They are quality players who obviously give us a little bit of experience to a team which can always do with that."
He felt moving Grant to lock would not hinder the ability of the Otago lineout.
With Grant at lock and Thomson on the openside flank, Otago will be looking to move the ball quickly all over the park.
Glenn Dickson will start at second five-eighth, Jayden Spence is on the wing and Tony Ensor is at fullback.
Northland has veteran Orene Ai'i at fullback, and Rene Ranger, who is primed for the season after some off-field indiscretions, is at centre.
Former Southern loose forward Cam Goodhue is at No 8 for Northland and he will be joined in the loose forwards by former Highlanders loose forward Hale T-Pole.
Veteran Southland hooker David Hall is in the reserves for Northland.
Otago v Northland
Forsyth Barr Stadium, tomorrow, 4.35pm
Otago: Tony Ensor, Jayden Spence, Tamati Ellison, Glenn Dickson, Buxton Popoali'i, Hayden Parker, Fumiaki Tanaka, Gareth Evans, Adam Thomson, TJ Ioane, Rob Verbakel, Paul Grant (captain), Tama Tuirirangi, Liam Coltman, Scott Manson. Reserves: Sam Anderson-Heather, Aki Seiuli, Tom Franklin, Lee Allan, Brad Weber, Peter Breen, Michael Collins.
Northland: Orene Ai'i, Tui Faasisila, Rene Ranger (co-captain), Derek Carpenter, Mateo Malupo, Ash Moeke, Samisoni Fisilau, Cam Goodhue, Dan Pryor, Hale T-Pole, Bryce Williams (co-captain), Jack Whetton, Scott Vessey, Tone Kopelani, Matt Wallis. Reserves: David Hall, Peni Kaufusi, Dan Faleafa, Jack Ram, Rhyan Caine, Eddie Paea, Matt Wright.
ITM Cup
The draw
Manawatu v Wellington
• Palmerston North, Friday, 6.05pm
Tasman v Canterbury
• Nelson, Friday, 8.05pm
Bay of Plenty v Taranaki
• Mt Maunganui, Saturday, 2.35pm
Otago v Northland
• Dunedin, Saturday, 4.35pm
North Harbour v Waikato
• Albany, Sunday, 2.35pm
Counties-Manukau v Southland
• Pukekohe, Sunday, 4.35pm
Wellington v Hawkes Bay
• Wellington, Tuesday, 7.35pm
Canterbury v Auckland
• Christchurch, Wednesday, 7.35pm
