The southern franchise takes on the Chiefs, a side labelled by Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph as the best in the competition.
"People start licking their lips over what sort of game it is going to be. Both teams like to attack and if guys start slipping off tackles or make mistakes, kick poorly, then guys like Ben [Smith] and Mr [Damian] McKenzie are going to run it,'' he said.
"That opens it up for a really open game of footy. But in saying that, it is really hard to play that type of footy for the entire game. So I think they'll have to take a breath of air.
"But for me the Chiefs have been by far the team in form and that is our challenge.''
Joseph has been forced to make some changes from the side which beat the Brumbies in Invercargill last week.
Co-captain and openside flanker Shane Christie is out for a couple of weeks with a hamstring strain he picked up in the victory over the Brumbies.
Fellow loose forward Liam Squire will also miss the match with a hip injury.
He had trained little this week and although he could have played at a push, it was wiser to rest him.
Dan Pryor comes into the team for Christie, while Luke Whitelock returns to the No 8 position.
In the backline, Rob Thompson is out with concussion, which has led to a reshuffle.
Matt Faddes comes into centre - having only played previously this year on the wing - and Malakai Fekitoa moves into second five-eighth.
Electric winger Waisake Naholo comes back into the team after being out for a couple of months with a broken leg.
Joseph said he was looking forward to the return of Naholo.
"It is nice to have Waisake back. I think it will help the guys, and his mate [Patrick Osborne] on the other wing. Those two guys love playing together. I think when there is a general feeling around, when you get some key players back, the morale of the team really lifts.''
Otago prop Aki Seiuli may make his debut at this level, should he get out on the field from the bench, and Gareth Evans is also on the bench.
The game against the Chiefs is the first of three straight games against New Zealand teams - the Crusaders and Hurricanes follow - which are looming as a key part of the season.
"It has become more important to us as we have dropped a couple and if we want to be worthy of going forward in this competition, the next three games are crucial for us. At the end of the day our focus as a team is on the Chiefs.''
The Chiefs have brought in backs Charlie Ngatai and James Lowe to their team, both recovered from injury.
Sam Cane continues to lead the team, while Japanese internationals No 8 Michael Leitch and prop Hiroshi Yamashiti gets starts.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders have included Waikato hooker Hame Faiva as an injury replacement for Liam Coltman, Coltman is out for up to eight weeks with a ruptured ligament in his toe.
First five-eighth Fletcher Smith has replaced his Otago team mate Hayden Parker, who injured his knee at training last week and is out for the season.
Smith is only a temporary replacement at the moment and the Highlanders may bring in another player.
Marty Banks is over his rib injury and will start on the bench.
Highlanders v Chiefs
Hamilton, tomorrow, 7.35pm
Highlanders: Ben Smith (captain), Waisake Naholo, Matt Faddes, Malakai Fekitoa, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, Dan Pryor, Elliot Dixon, Tom Franklin, Alex Ainley, Josh Hohneck, Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Greg Pleasants-Tate, Aki Seiuli, Siosiua Halanukonuka, James Lentjes, Gareth Evans, Fumiaki Tanaka, Marty Banks, Tei Walden
Chiefs: Damian McKenzie, Toni Pulu, Seta Tamanivalu, Charlie Ngatai, James Lowe, Aaron Cruden, Brad Weber, Michael Leitch, Sam Cane (captain), Taleni Seu, Brodie Retallick, Dominic Bird, Hiroshi Yamashiti, Hika Elliot, Mitchell Graham. Reserves: Nathan Harris, Siate Tokolahu, Kane Hames, Michael Allardice, Maama Vaipulu, Kayne Hammington, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sam Vaka.
