No 8 and vice-captain Steven Setephano will make his first start for Otago.
He replaces Paul Grant, who moves to the reserves, replacing Uili Kolo'ofai, who drops out of the playing 22.
For Setephano, it has been a long wait to wear the blue and gold jersey in a first-class match, as he has been troubled by a left calf injury for the past three months.
But the Otago medical staff pronounced him fit this week and he will be looking to make a big impact tomorrow after transferring to the province in the off-season from Waikato.
Changes have also been made in the reserves, with prop Ben Nolan replacing Jeremy Aldworth, and Daniel Bowden replacing Dan Snee.
If Bowden takes the park, it will be his first first-class match for Otago after transferring from Northland.
He has recovered from a rib injury sustained in a pre-season match against Wellington.
Jason Macdonald will start at hooker.
Macdonald left the field after taking a a blow to the back while scoring a try against Southland last week.
Otago, through a last-gasp Chris Noakes penalty goal, won 25-23 in Invercargill.
The match is winger Karne Hesketh's blazer game, his 15th for the province.
Harbour flanker Eben Joubert is the only player from the squad unavailable, as he is still recovering from a broken finger.
Canterbury coach Rob Penney has made three changes to his forward pack, looking to bring more urgency to his side.
His team had a shock loss, 24-25 to Manawatu, in the opening round in Christchurch last Saturday.
Penney has reacted by bringing in locks Michael Paterson and Isaac Ross, though there is a doubt about Ross.
The 23-year-old, who played for the Highlanders this year, is recovering from a head knock, and his availability will be decided today.
Hooker Ti'i Paulo will also start, replacing Steve Fualau, who moves to the bench.
All of the Canterbury pack have Super 14 experience.
First five-eighth Colin Slade gets his first start for Canterbury after coming on for Hamish Gard last week.
Gard sustained a knock to the head last week and has not recovered sufficiently.
Canterbury has had a troubled build-up to the season, with Penney saying the side had been hampered by injury.
Still injured and unavailable tomorrow are winger Sean Maitland, centre Casey Laulala, hooker Corey Flynn, inside backs Stephen Brett and Gard.
Loose forward Nasi Manu is playing club rugby.
The last time Otago played Canterbury at Carisbrook, in 2005, it was also during the day, and resulted in a 23-19 win for the home side.
Otago will also want to exact revenge for a disappointing quarterfinal game against Canterbury last year at AMI Stadium, when the home team won 44-6.
The level of player turnover in provincial rugby in the professional era is in evidence, with only seven of the Canterbury team from that quarterfinal last year starting tomorrow.
Otago has just five players remaining from that match.
Air NZ Cup teams
To play at Carisbrook tomorrow
Otago: Glen Horton, Lucky Mulipola, Brett Mather, Aaron Bancroft, Karne Hesketh, Chris Noakes, Toby Morland, Steven Setephano, Craig Newby (captain), Seko Qaraniqio, Tom Donnelly, Ross Kennedy, Jed Vercoe, Jason Macdonald, Keith Cameron.
Reserves: Peter Mirrielees, Ben Nolan , Paul Grant, Hoani Matenga, Sean Romans, Daniel Bowden, Ben Smith.
Canterbury: Paul Williams, Scott Hamilton, Adam Whitelock, Tim Bateman, James Paterson, Colin Slade, Tyson Keats, Mose Tuiali'i, Hayden Hopgood, Kieran Read (captain), Isaac Ross, Michael Paterson, Campbell Johnstone, Ti'i Paulo, Wyatt Crockett.
Reserves: Steve Fualau, Owen Franks, James Broadhurst, George Whitelock, Steve Alfeld, Ryan Crotty, Kosuke Endo.
