Coach Jamie Joseph said the big Reds side played differently against the Waratahs than they had against the Crusaders a week earlier.
"Against the Crusaders, they ran the ball a lot. Against the Waratahs, they were more structured with a clinical kicking game that put the Waratahs under pressure. They mauled, which they hadn't shown in the previous game.
"So, we're not sure what we're going to get. We're prepared for both."
It was nothing different from what Reds coach Les Kiss has produced with teams during his career.
"Every team he's coached, they've been good and competitive, and this is no different.
"The Reds last year gave us a real hiding and it was quite an embarrassing performance, and that's in the backs of the boys' minds."
Finn Hurley has returned at fullback, which gives the Highlanders opportunities if the Reds can't find accuracy in their kicking game.
"The Reds kick a bit, and if they kick loosely, then we've got a player who can exploit loose kicking. He's still young, though; the balance between having control and having a crack is the key to Finn.
"He's getting better every game, he just got injured at the wrong time."
Joseph said the choice of co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai being named on the wing, after some influential games at second five-eighths, was based on getting Thomas Umaga-Jensen back into the game.
They had different skill sets, and Umaga-Jensen was coming back from injury and, after two games with their Bravehearts feeder side, was set to play.
Tavatavanawai, no matter where he played, could have an impact, as he showed when playing some time with the forwards against the Blues.
"We will look at different ways of getting him more involved in the game. He's no good sitting out having a cup of soup on the wing."
Fabian Holland drops back to the bench with TK Howden getting a start at lock, a move that could put pressure on the lineout to perform in Holland's absence.
"TK can play lock at this level. He's very good in the lineout, he's a big worker."