Crusaders coach Rob Penney has opted to work some rotation in his side for the game. Matchwinning substitute against the Blues, James O'Connor, has been rested. Rivez Reihana will return to the bench.
"He's [Reihana] been waiting in the wings for a couple of weeks now and training the house down, so he's got an opportunity."
Facing another New Zealand derby again was brutal.
"But the boys are embracing it. It was a tough gig on Friday night against the Blues. They were impressive, and we had to dig deep. We got over the line, but they're tough games, and we expect no different this week as we head down to the Highlanders.
"They've got some quality—Jamie's [Joseph] a quality coach. I've known him for a long time and have coached against him for years. The DNA of his teams is that he doesn't usually change too much.
"They did the job on us last year, and they'll be looking to repeat that."
Other changes to the starting XV include blindside flanker Xavier Saifoloi on debut, lock Jamie Hannah, flanker Tom Christie and George Bower at loosehead prop.
Injury to Antonio Shalfoon provided Hannah with his chance, and Tahlor Cahill was named as cover on the bench, while Christie is in for Ethan Blackadder, who has a hamstring injury.
"Xavier got a wee taste early on and did well. He's trained the house down the last couple of months. Now he's got an opportunity to start."
An Aucklander who played for Botany Downs Secondary School was a Blues Under-18 wider training squad member who moved to Hamilton to attend university and joined the Waikato Academy. He played for Waikato in the NPC in 2023 and 2024. He made his Crusaders debut against the Force.
"The depth and talent we have in the group is very strong and it's one of the joys of being able to manipulate one or two positions every now and then to freshen people up or to increase the squad engagement and to build depth for later on."
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said there was never a problem getting the side up to play the Crusaders.
"Crusaders games have traditionally been exciting and one they are always look forward to."
The side will welcome back prop Ethan de Groot from a rolled ankle and flanker Sean Withy, who is returning from suspension.
"Ethan is a quality loosehead prop with a lot of experience playing against his All Blacks team friends, but he creates confidence within our group.
"Sean has been a key player this year we've missed him."
Wings Caleb Tangitau and Jona Nareki are missing from the side, prop Daniel Lienert-Brown and co-captain Hugh Renton. Set to make his debut is outside back Josh Whaanga.
Joseph said, "I think it's great to throw young guys who show real promise into a big game and see how they deal with everything – the preparation, the magnitude of match expectation from everybody. It is a test for young guys.
"We've comitted to Josh for the next three years and it's a good opportunity for him."
He said Tangitau could have been selected, but they felt it was better to get him back to 100 percent because he was a young player who had played a lot of rugby this year. Co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai will move from the midfield to the right wing.
In Renton's absence, Will Stodart will start at No8 with Sean Withy and TK Howden on the flanks of the pack.