Coach Jamie Joseph has made four changes to his team to take on the red and blacks tomorrow, as form first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga comes back into the side, having recovered from a high ankle sprain.
Left winger Patrick Osborne has also recovered from an ankle injury, while Chris King slots back into the team after serving a one-match suspension.
Hooker Ged Robinson starts, as Liam Coltman is out with a calf injury. Dunedin rake Sam Anderson-Heather comes on to the bench, as Brayden Mitchell is out with suspension.
The changes should not have too much of an effect on the Highlanders, and Joseph is not second-guessing what game the Crusaders will come and deliver.
''They will come out any way and that is why they are such a strong team. If they want to play a forward-oriented game, then they have got the All Black forward pack to do that,'' Joseph said.
''If they want to play a wide game, they have got the All Black backline to play that way. What we have seen in recent times is them kicking the ball a lot. I'm not sure they will do that all the time. I've no doubt they will do that at some time.
''That is why they are such a difficult team to play against, as they have got three or four different ways to attack and we will have to be awake to that.''
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has dropped his All Black front row to the bench but expect Wyatt Crockett, Corey Flynn and Owen Franks to come into the game later on.
Joseph said he was not thinking about what his coaching opposite was doing but said it would be a tough challenge for his young bench players to face high-calibre front-rowers.
The side had to do without its All Black wider training squad members this week when Coltman, Malakai Fekitoa, and the Smiths, Aaron and Ben, were away on national duties.
Joseph said it was not all bad and coming back to training yesterday the national representatives had shown plenty of energy.
''I think the All Blacks have come back with a bounce in their step. They get to meet their old buddies. It is exciting for those young guys.
''At the end of the day we have been training for six months for games like this, so we want to get out there and play the best they can.''
The teams are fifth and sixth respectively on the table and it is a big game in terms of the overall competition.
