But the biggest worry after the selection of the national side is that a key Highlander may head overseas, after being harshly snubbed by the national selectors.
The Highlanders were always going to short-handed to face the British and Irish Lions.
There was talk last year the franchise would be able to field all its All Blacks but that never held much water in a country in which the All Blacks take precedence.
Now the team has reached a somewhat happy medium meaning it will still be able to field a side which should have enough talent to give the Lions a decent workout.
The main concern concerning the team which will run out next Tuesday is who will play at the back and fill the second row.
Ben Smith had every intention of playing against the Lions for the Highlanders but he is now committed to playing for the All Blacks against Samoa at Eden Park on June 16.
Matt Faddes has played fullback for the Highlanders in most games when Smith has been injured this year but he is under an injury cloud for Tuesday’s the match, having damaged his hand in Saturday’s game against the Crusaders.
The alternatives are putting someone like first five-eighth Marty Banks or winger Tevita Li back, although Li has had a shoulder injury.
The dropping of Malakai Fekitoa is a real boost for the Highlanders.
His strong running and brutal defence will be a real asset for the team on Tuesday night.
But more long term, it is a major concern for the franchise over where the bruising centre sees his future.
Fekitoa’s contract is up at the end of the season and, with the big Tongan seemingly out of the picture on the national scene, he may look to cash up and head overseas.
He is only 25 and may come again but there is a logjam of contenders and it is harder to get into the All Blacks than it is to stay in.
With the selection of Rob Thompson in the Maori All Blacks, Richard Buckman will move to the midfield from the left wing where he played last week.
The announcement that All Blacks Waisake Naholo, Lima Sopoaga and Liam Coltman are all available for the Highlanders next Tuesday night is a boost to the side.
Naholo is building his form nicely and coming back to full fitness while Coltman has been a rock all season.
Sopoaga was out for nine weeks because of a hamstring injury and needs time on the paddock so he will be welcomed back.
Up front, locks Joe Wheeler and Tom Franklin are needed for the Maori All Blacks so Alex Ainley will start as one lock and either Jackson Hemopo or Josh Dickson will fill the other position.
Greg Pleasants-Tate should come off the bench to cover Coltman at hooker.