After beating the Chiefs and the Crusaders, the Highlanders will want to make it three wins from as many games when they take on the Hurricanes in the capital.
Coach Jamie Joseph has made two changes to the side which beat the Crusaders. Prop Daniel Lienert-Brown comes back into the team after he missed the win at Forsyth Barr Stadium while lock Joe Wheeler drops out of the the squad altogether and is replaced by Tom Franklin.
Mark Reddish is included on the bench for the first time in nearly two months.
The Highlanders have not lost in Wellington under the tutelage of Jamie Joseph and will want to keep that record intact. The side has nine players back from the starting team which won the final so memorably in July last year.
Missing from the Highlanders are Richard Buckman (injured), Nasi Manu (overseas), James Lentjes (not selected), Reddish (bench), Liam Coltman (injured) and Brendon Edmonds (injured).
The side will look to its potent backline to make the most of opportunities although rain is forecast tomorrow night in Wellington.
The Hurricanes welcome back the five players - Victor Vito, Cory Jane, Ardia Savea, Julian Savea and Chris Eves - who were suspended for the previous match after failing to come back to a hotel in South Africa before an agreed time.
Lock Michael Fatialofa and skipper Dane Coles have passed concussion tests and will start the match.
The home side has eight players back from the team which started the final last year.
Not lining up for the Hurricanes are Nehe Milner-Skudder (injured), Conrad Smith (overseas), Ma'a Nonu (overseas), Callum Gibbins (bench), James Broadhurst (concussion), Jeremy Thrush (overseas) and Ben Franks (overseas).
The Hurricanes sit one point behind the Highlanders on the table.
New Zealand Rugby has designated the round as the diversity round, and New Zealand teams will wear a range of brightly coloured laces to highlight diversity in rugby. It is a symbolic gesture to illustrate rugby is a game for everyone, no matter what size, shape, nationality, religion or gender.
Highlanders v Hurricanes
Wellington, tomorrow, 7.35pm
Highlanders: Ben Smith (captain), Waisake Naholo, Matt Faddes, Malakai Fekitoa, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, Dan Pryor, Elliot Dixon, Tom Franklin, Alex Ainley, Josh Hohneck, Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Greg Pleasants-Tate, Aki Seiuli, Siosiua Halanukonuka, Mark Reddish, Liam Squire, Fumiaki Tanaka, Marty Banks, Tei Walden.
Hurricanes: James Marshall, Cory Jane, Matt Proctor, Vince Aso, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Michael Fatialofa, Blade Thomson, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Dane Coles (captain), Reggie Goodes. Reserves: Motu Matu'u, Chris Eves, Lonu Uhila, Vaea Fifita, Callum Gibbins, Jamison Gibson Park, Ngani Laumape, Jason Woodward.
