The Highlanders head to Brisbane in what might just be a critical contest against the Reds as they look to keep up in the race for the playoffs.
Fly-half Ajay Faleafaga will start at Super Rugby Pacific match for the first time on Saturday when the Highlanders take on the fifth-placed Melbourne Rebels.
All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot returns to the Highlanders as they prepare to face on the best front rows in Super Rugby Pacific against the Hurricanes.
The very first game of 2024's Super Rugby Pacific pre-season kicks off in Queenstown on Friday (6pm NZT) with a match between the Highlanders and Moana Pasifika.
The inaugural edition of the Super Rugby Aotearoa competition kicked-off with a bang on Sunday as the Chiefs, Highlanders and Crusaders youth sides all picked up victories in their first-up matches.