The Highlanders take on the defending champion Chiefs, so the litmus test will start straight away.
For the home team, expectation is obviously high. You do not sign three top-line All Blacks to make up the numbers.
One of those marquee signings, Brad Thorn, will not start tonight, as he is still recovering from a calf strain. With a bye next week, it was decided not to risk him.
Colin Slade is also unavailable but it is hoped he will play for the Highlanders development side in Christchurch tomorrow.
Ma'a Nonu will line up at second five-eighth, and Tony Woodcock is at loosehead prop.
Tasman forward Joe Wheeler gets the unenviable task of filling the boots of the departed Adam Thomson.
Ben Smith comes back into the side after shrugging off a toe injury, while Kade Poki wins out over Buxton Popoali'i on the right wing.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said playing the defending champion was obviously a tough task for his side.
''They are a very good team. They are well prepared, very cohesive as a team. They play very quickly with a good forward pack which seems to be able to provide some very good ball for their backline,'' Joseph said.
The Chiefs won all three of their pre-season games and Joseph said they were a side developing a way to win.
The Highlanders, on the other hand, have won just one game from three in their pre-season. They looked off the boil at times when losing narrowly to the Blues in Queenstown last Friday.
The Highlanders coach said his side had come back well against the Blues and he was happy with this week's build-up.
''You work pretty hard in the pre-season with a view to starting the season afresh. The intensity off the field has been good ... I think we are where we want to be.''
The Highlanders will want to make a statement about their intentions tonight and a strong forward effort is a must.
With Thorn sidelined and Andrew Hore suspended, the onus is on the likes of Brayden Mitchell and Nasi Manu to get into the game.
