Jayden Spence will make his starting debut for Otago at second five-eighth while Paul Grant gets his first hit-out of the season on the blindside flank, with youngster Gareth Evans continuing in the No 8 jersey.
Otago plays Northland tomorrow before heading home to face Counties-Manukau at Carisbrook on Wednesday.
It will then play Southland next Saturday in the last game at Carisbrook.
In other changes to the run-on team, lock Daniel Ramsay, hooker Jason Macdonald and prop Kees Meeuws come back into the side while Tony Brown takes the place of Hayden Parker at first five-eighth.
It will be Spence's first starting match for Otago although he impressed for the side when he came on in the opening match against North Harbour.
Otago co-coach Andy Hunter said the team had good depth and Spence was due for a start.
"Knowing that we have three games in eight days means that we have to have all men on deck for the next week," he said.
"We've got a really tough week coming up and it is going to test the resolve of the guys."
Hunter said the next three games would be crucial for the overall season although the opening three games, in which Otago notched up two weeks and a loss, were also important.
The 27-13 loss to Hawkes Bay in Napier was fresh in the memories of the players and Hunter said the team had worked hard this week. The forwards had concentrating on getting the set pieces right, a part of the game not up to scratch against the Magpies.
Otago had a convincing win over Northland the last time it had travelled north in 2009, and the northern side was coming off a close 23-16 loss to Taranaki in Whangarei on Wednesday night.
Otago would have to have faith in its defensive systems and make one-on-one tackles, Hunter said.
"The best way to describe them is unpredictable. They're not afraid to look to move the ball from most places on the paddock. They have got attacking players right across the field."
Ben Smith is still on All Black duty and has not been released for the game.
Flanker Regan Tamihere is not over his hamstring injury he suffered against Auckland and is out for another couple of weeks.
After playing on Wednesday night, Northland will not name its team until today.
Otago v Northland
Whangarei, tomorrow, 4.35pm
Otago: Glenn Dickson, Joe Hill, Ben Atiga, Jayden Spence, Buxton Popoali'i, Tony Brown, Sean Romans, Gareth Evans, Eben Joubert (captain), Paul Grant, Tom Donnelly, Daniel Ramsay, Kees Meeuws, Jason Macdonald, Halani Aulika. Reserves: Liam Coltman, James McGougan, Rob Verbakel, TJ Ioane, Johnny Legg, Hayden Parker, Sam Giddens, Scott Manson.
