The Highlanders have promoted a number of young guns into the starting side to play the Hurricanes with a playoff spot assured.
The Highlanders head to Brisbane in what might just be a critical contest against the Reds as they look to keep up in the race for the playoffs.
Fly-half Ajay Faleafaga will start at Super Rugby Pacific match for the first time on Saturday when the Highlanders take on the fifth-placed Melbourne Rebels.
Tom Sanders played his 50th Super Rugby match for the Highlanders against the Hurricanes in Dunedin after unexpectedly returning from Japan this year.
All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot returns to the Highlanders as they prepare to face on the best front rows in Super Rugby Pacific against the Hurricanes.
The Highlanders will be without All Black prop Ethan de Groot for their clash against the Chiefs in Hamilton due to HIA protocols.
Looking around the landscape of the New Zealand teams, it becomes apparent that Hurricanes first five-eighth Brett Cameron is the second best option in the country right now.
A mountainous task requires a fit and firing team and that's exactly what coach Clarke Dermody has named for the encounter.
The Highlanders tenacious defensive effort in 2024 has been fuelled by the hard-working loose forward unit of Sean Withy, Billy Harmon, and Hugh Renton but head coach Clarke Dermody has revealed why he axed two of the trio.