Faddes (24) was named yesterday on the right wing to replace the injured Waisake Naholo for the match against the Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow night.
Naholo who is out for the next two months because of a broken leg suffered in the dying stages of the game last week against the Blues.
Naholo's absence will be felt.
He came from nowhere last year to break the single-season try-scoring record for the Highlanders, with 13, and won an All Black jersey.
His non-appearance will hurt but one man's loss is another's opportunity and Faddes gets his chance.
Coach Jamie Joseph said the team was not dwelling on Naholo's absence.
"The impact on Saturday will be big, because he has been a big part of our side. But the team has taken it in their stride,'' he said.
"Matt Faddes has played particularly well in pre-season and last week when he came on showed he can foot it at this level, so he gets the opportunity.''
Co-captain Ben Smith was keen for Faddes to get out and start the game.
"It is hard luck on Wise, getting an injury, but it is good to give Matt a crack. I know he is excited to get out there,'' Smith said.
"He has deserved his place. He played well in ITM Cup last year ... he has got a few different strengths to his game. He is the strongest white man I have ever seen in the gym. He has got a bit of power and pretty quick.''
Joseph has made a couple of other changes to his starting side.
No8 Liam Squire is replaced by Luke Whitelock and prop Daniel Lienert-Brown moves to the bench, to be replaced by Brendon Edmonds.
Squire is in the reserves, along with his Tasman team-mate Siosiua Halanukonuka. Jason Emery comes on to the bench with the promotion of Faddes.
Joseph expects an improvement from his side in all areas from last week and nothing was more obvious than better work at the breakdown.
"I thought we were the cause of our own demise last week. We gave away far too many penalties in the tackle ball area. Whilst the desire and the attitude was great, we have got to be a lot more accurate in that area. We have been big on that this week.
"We have got an opportunity with the same referee to get it right and I'm looking forward to that. At times last week we felt like we beat ourselves.''
The Hurricanes are coming off a 50-point thumping from the Brumbies but coach Chris Boyd has resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes.
He has stuck with the same side which played across the Ditch, although there is a doubt over exciting fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder.
Milner-Skudder fell heavily on his leg in Canberra and his availability is still unclear.
James Marshall comes into the reserves for Otere Black and should Milner-Skudder not be right, Marshall will come into the team.
