With three players suspended, and eight more carrying injuries of varying severity, the Highlanders' depth will be tested in Wellington.
Joseph has yet to decide on his team and said yesterday it was still touch and go whether key first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga would play.
But he did not train yesterday and, with some injury history, it may be wiser to err on the side of caution and not play Sopoaga in his home town.
Joseph admitted the injuries were not welcome as the season starts to climax.
''This part of the season is where your team is measured by, and for us, we have not been helped by all of the injuries. But every team has their turn with injuries. In some ways, it takes the pressure off our senior players. They just have to go out there and play well, not worry about the consequence of losing and just play the best they can,'' Joseph said.
The injuries were uncontrollables, he said. It was a concern but there was still a core of experience in the team.
The side has welcomed four players from the Dunedin club competition into its squad this week and Joseph said the new players had brought some energy into the team.
''It is good because they are enthusiastic. You are getting a chance to be part of a Super rugby team in a really big week. Having young and new guys into the team has been quite motivational for the guys who have been here all year.''
One of the new players, prop Aki Seiuli, will most likely come on to the bench as the side is down to three props though injury and suspension.
The Hurricanes have lost hooker Dane Coles to a back injury and have brought Tim Bateman into second five-eighth. Alapati Leiua moves to the bench.
Motu Matu'u comes into the side for Coles. The home team has picked six forwards on its bench, which the Highlanders are likely to do.
Joseph was wary of a Hurricanes team packed full with talent.
''I think all of the teams, particularly the New Zealand teams, have improved a hell of a lot since the first third of the competition.
''Now we have to ... go play a team with nine All Blacks. A team that is in form and can score tries from anywhere and defensively we have not been so good.''
The Highlanders have just finished four games against South African opposition and will have to move away from countering rolling mauls and taking on huge forward packs.
With winter closing in, games can be dictated by the weather.
Joseph though does not want a wet night.
''We are a team that needs to play. The point of difference we have in our team is our attack and our backs. So a wet-weather game will not really help us. But if it is wet and comes down to an arm wrestle then it comes down to the forwards and the nine and 10. If they can perform then we are in with a show.''
The Highlanders have decided to release another 1000 take a kid to footy tickets for next week's game between the Highlanders and the Crusaders. The match is on May 24, kicking off at 5.35pm.
Highlanders v Hurricanes
Wellington, tomorrow, 7.35pm
• Highlanders (probable): Ben Smith (co-captain), Richard Buckman, Malakai Fekitoa, Shaun Treeby, Jason Emery, Hayden Parker, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu (co-captain), Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Jarrad Hoeata, Ma'afu Fia, Liam Coltman, Kane Hames. Reserves: Ged Robinson, Matias Diaz, Aki Seiuli, Tom Franklin, Gareth Evans, TJ Ioane, Fumiaki Tanaka, Trent Renata.
• Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (captain), Tim Bateman, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Motu Matu'u, Ben Franks. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Chris Eves, Reggie Goodes, Blade Thomson, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Chris Smylie, Alapati Leiua.
