The Chiefs are strutting the stage at the moment - they have three wins from as many games, they just smashed the Crusaders, and they have players in form.
It is going to be a tough - make that very tough - assignment for the Highlanders to come away from Hamilton with a win but they have done it before.
In 2012 - the year the Chiefs won their first title - the side from the South was victorious, so it can be done.
The Highlanders will have to play at their best, win the breakdown battle, and take every opportunity that comes along.
Coach Jamie Joseph acknowledged the Chiefs were formidable opponents and could not be taken lightly.
''Their offloading ability with their players led up front by [Liam] Messam and Sonny Bill [Williams] are obviously a big threat. If you don't look after the ball, and turn the ball over, then they are lethal,'' he said.
''It is back-to-the-basics rugby for us.
''We understand what they are really good at. But the focus has to be on us. To beat a team like the Chiefs, we have to play well.
''If you turn the ball over against the Chiefs, then you are going to be under pressure.
''There is one thing I like about the Chiefs and that is they are resilient. They play 80 minutes. They don't drop their guard at all.''
The Chiefs had weapons all over the field, not just the man in the No 12 jersey, but the Highlanders would have to work hard to ensure Williams had a quiet game.
''We have to make our tackles and do not give him time and space. How do we do that? Good line speed, pressure on their set piece and not let him have any space.''
The Highlanders got a win on the board last week though it was a close-run thing against the Reds.
Things were still not quite clicking but Joseph said the time of talking about rust was over and players had to perform.
''You can't keep using rust as an excuse. The players just have to execute under pressure.
''Generally, in these top games, the team that does execute better under pressure are the one that wins.''
Joseph has shaken up his forward pack for the match, bringing in an entirely new front row.
Out go Ross Geldenhuys, Brendon Edmonds and Ash Dixon, to be replaced by Ma'afu Fia, Josh Hohneck and Liam Coltman.
Joe Wheeler will lock the scrum with Mark Reddish. Tom Franklin, who has impressed in the first two games, goes to the bench.
John Hardie is dropped and replaced by Gareth Evans, who has not been sighted all season. Evans starts at blindside with Elliot Dixon moved to the openside role.
Lima Sopoaga comes back in to the first five-eighth role while Shaun Treeby gets his first start of the season outside him, as he overcomes a knee injury.
Ben Smith has been named to start. His wife, Katie, is due to give birth today and Smith may withdraw from the team at any stage.
Chiefs captain Messam is in doubt after taking a head knock last week. His availability will be decided today, after further concussion testing.
There is a chance of heavy rain in Hamilton tonight.
Highlanders v Chiefs
Hamilton, today, 7.35pm
Highlanders: Ben Smith (co-captain), Waisake Naholo, Malikai Fekitoa, Shaun Treeby, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu (co-captain), Elliot Dixon, Gareth Evans, Joe Wheeler, Mark Reddish, Ma'afu Fia, Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds, Ross Geldenhuys, Tom Franklin, Dan Pryor, Fumiaki Tanaka, Marty Banks, Jason Emery.
Chiefs:Tom Marshall, Hosea Gear, Charlie Ngatai, Sonny Bill Williams, James Lowe, Aaron Cruden, Augustine Pulu, Liam Messam (captain) or Maama Vaipulu, Sam Cane, Johan Bardoul, Michael Fitzgerald, Matt Symons, Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Siate Tokolahi, Mitchell Graham, Michael Allardice, Michael Leitch or Vaipulu, Brad Weber, Damian McKenzie, Andrew Horrell.
Referee: Nick Briant (Bay of Plenty)
