The Highlanders may have lost electric fullback Finn Hurley for the season, but they have been boosted by the return of the mercurial Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens for their round nine clash with the Fijian Drua.
The Highlanders are sitting pretty in third place on the Super Rugby Pacific table after enjoying a bye week in round four.
Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph was pleased with his side's first half performance, completely dominating the home side in the first game of culture round.
The Highlanders have switched up their back row combinations and named a forward-heavy bench as they prepare to take on the Blues in Dunedin.
Seven players will don Highlanders colours for the first time this weekend as the team gets their 2025 campaign underway in Sydney.
A small but good crowd showed up on a sunny Friday afternoon and was treated to some running rugby from the two teams, trying to iron out the cobwebs ahead of the new campaign in two weeks.
The Highlanders have made a significant announcement before the new season with Jamie Joseph taking over as head coach.
The ACT Brumbies have surged into the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals to secure a date with destiny against the high-flying Blues in Auckland.
The Highlanders have opted to start kicking ace Cam Miller for their crunch quarter-final against the Brumbies in Canberra.