Much talk has centred around the home side's backline.
The all-round talents of TJ Perenara, the grunt and power of Ngani Laumape, and the rare skills of Beauden Barrett.
But the game is not always about the flash boys out the back.
The engine room still provides the ball - the set piece can win and lose games.
Young Highlanders prop Tyrel Lomax has a big night ahead of him up against the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes have plenty of attacking options but they have to get the ball first.
Lomax (22) will look to get the upper hand over his opposite Chris Eves in the scrums and then hit the breakdown hard.
Lomax has lost some weight in the off-season and has come back a sharper and fitter player. He said that came from just growing older and being part of the national side last year.
"I think I was just a bit young and immature. I've just grown up and seen what it takes," he said.
"I have lost a fair bit of weight. But my overall fitness has just improved. Just been doing the work and working hard.
"I think the players here and the coaching staff here are really helpful. At the end of the year with the All Blacks helped - just seeing how to be a professional and what it takes to get to that level.
"It is just hard work. Going in there and see all of those guys, Owen Franks, and how they operate, and just 24/7 being professional."
He said meeting the likes of Franks was a big step for him, as last year was his first season at this level in New Zealand.
"Owen Franks - it was a bit intimidating. But then you get there and start to talk to them all, you get a bit relaxed. It is a really good environment, and team first, sort of thing.
"But it was great having a wee taste last year. I've just got to work hard and hopefully get back in there. But I've got to play good footy here first."
Lomax was born in Australia, spent some time in New Zealand when young but had his secondary school education was back in Australia. The son of former Kiwi John Lomax, he made Australian age grade sides and played for the Rebels in 2017 before switching allegiance to New Zealand.
He made rapid progress last year and played 20 minutes for the All Blacks against Japan in the test late last year.
He missed out playing against his old Rebels team last week but is back in the starting line-up tonight.
The Highlanders will look to dominate up front and must hang on to the ball.
The side is moving away from kicking the ball as much as previous years, though it is early days.
The Hurricanes are a side which feast on turnovers. The Highlanders simply can not make mistakes and give the ball to the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes will look to use their potent backline and big games will be needed from a green Highlanders midfield pairing of Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Sio Tomkinson.
But their involvement may be limited, as wet weather is forecast for Wellington tonight and the swirling wind at the stadium is sure to have a big impact.