It is the only change from the team that beat Southland 15-10 at Invercargill last week. He replaces Liam Coltman, who will sit on the bench.
Otago has started the ITM Cup in a positive way by winning two of its first three games.
But it will face its toughest test of the season against Counties-Manukau, which has won three of its four games.
Assistant coach Phil Young knows that it will not be an easy task.
"Counties are a formidable side and are on a bit of a roll," Young said. "They obviously play with confidence but we are not getting hung up about that.
"We have to go up there with our minds set on what we want to do. If we can put our plan into action, we can come out with a good result."
Otago has a tough schedule and will play three games in nine days.
It plays North Harbour next Tuesday and Tasman the following Sunday.
Both games are at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Young was not concerned about that.
"Our boys are conditioned well. Fitness trainer Karl Bloxham has done a good job and the squad is largely injury-free at the moment."
Lock Justin Ives rolled his ankle when playing for Otago Country against the Otago Development Squad last weekend but should be fit for the North Harbour game.
Kieran Moffat, who broke his ankle in the club final, expects to return in three weeks.
The team has worked hard in developing a structure and the players believe in the game plan.
The manner in which the team ground out its 15-10 win against Southland in atrocious conditions at Invercargill last week was an illustration of this.
"We knew it was going to be a dogfight. We went down there to play a different game but the weather conditions stalled that.
"We knew we had to roll our sleeves up to gain some parity. Our tight five stepped up and played with a lot of character. It was good for our confidence."
