The two New Zealand sides which emerged victorious from the first round meet in Hamilton tomorrow night.
However, both teams have undergone some changes. The Chiefs are fielding a different-looking forward pack while the Highlanders have also tweaked their side.
With left winger Patrick Osborne picking up a high ankle sprain at training, Malakai Fekitoa, who impressed in the win over the Blues last week, has shifted to the left wing from centre.
Winston Stanley makes his first appearance for the season at centre, getting the start ahead of Jason Emery.
John Hardie gets a start on the openside flank in front of Shane Christie who impressed last week.
Hardie is the only Southlander in the team, after none started last week. Christie is unlucky to miss out but there is competition in the No 7 jersey and Hardie will have to play his best.
Joe Wheeler comes into lock to replace the injured Brad Thorn. Josh Bekhuis remains in the reserves.
The Chiefs have made six changes to their side, the bulk of them in the forward pack.
Loosehead prop Jamie Mackintosh will not get an immediate chance to go up against his former team-mates. He starts on the bench and Pauliasi Manu comes into the team.
Mahonri Schwalger comes in at hooker and Matt Symons will lock the scrum with Mike Fitzgerald as Brodie Retallick has not recovered from a head clash last week.
Flanker Tanerau Latimer gets his first start of the season and he will be joined in the loose forwards by captain Liam Messam at No 8 and former Highlander Nick Crosswell.
All Black halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow has shrugged off an ankle injury and will start. Former Otago halfback Brad Weber has been named on the bench.
Joseph said the side was looking forward to taking on the Chiefs, but he was concentrating on his team rather than the two-time champions.
''I have not focused too much on them because they are such a good side. We just have to look at our own side and prepare the best we can and do the job we want to,'' he said.
''Last week they played the Crusaders, a team with almost all All Blacks and they beat them. So it doesn't matter who plays for them.
''They are the pinnacle really. When they can get a team to beat the Crusaders last week suggests they are more than well organised.
"They have real commitment, real ability and any team that knocks them over has to be on their game.
''They have set the benchmark and we are trying to emulate some of the stuff that they do.''
Thorn would be a loss but Joseph said he took plenty out of last week when players stood up and showed some physicality needed at this level.
The big challenge from week to week was to get consistency and that often came in the way players prepared.
Highlanders v Chiefs
Hamilton, tomorrow, 7.35pm
Highlanders: Ben Smith (co-captain), Richard Buckman, Winston Stanley, Shaun Treeby, Malakai Fekitoa, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu (co-captain), John Hardie, Gareth Evans, Joe Wheeler, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris King, Liam Coltman, Kane Hames.
Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Matias Diaz, Craig Millar, Josh Bekhuis, Shane Christie, Fumiaki Tanaka, Trent Renatar, Phil Burleigh.
Chiefs: Mils Muliaina, Tim Nanai-Williams, Robbie Fruean, Charlie Ngatai, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden (co-captain), Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Liam Messam (co-captain), Tanerau Latimer, Nick Crosswell, Matt Symons, Michael Fitzgerald, Ben Tameifuna, Mahonri Schwalger, Pauliasi Manu.
Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Jamie Mackintosh, Josh Hohneck, Tevita Koloamatangi, Liam Squire, Brad Weber, Andrew Horrell, James Lowe.