The side takes on the Waratahs at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow night, coming off a plucky win over the Chiefs, where the side lost everywhere but the scoreboard.
Coach Jamie Joseph said the side was naturally pleased to get the win but needed to cut out the mistakes, play smarter football and take every chance that came along.
''It was a good result for us but not entirely how we wanted to play. We do need a bit more ball but to do that, we need to be a bit more clinical in our half and attack in their half. The first or only try we got started from under our own posts,'' he said.
''We can't rely on that sort of rugby every week to get across the line so that was the focus this week.
''We have got to be a lot smarter, do things a lot better ... real basic stuff. Fortunately it did not cost us the result in the weekend but we come up against the opposition [Waratahs] that won the competition last year so we are going to have to be better.''
Highlanders prop Ma'afu Fia's season is over after he ruptured his ACL in his knee last week, and the Manawatu man is set for a long rehabilitation.
Canterbury youngster Daniel Lienert-Brown has been brought into the squad.
Lienert-Brown (22) made two appearances for the Crusaders last year and played four times for Canterbury in the ITM Cup last season.
He is not overly big for a prop, weighing 109kg, but has impressed some with his technique.
He was a member of the New Zealand Colts side two years ago.
Fia's absence will be a blow but is tempered by the return of flanker Shane Christie, who is over his hamstring injury and will make an immediate start.
Joseph said he did not hesitate in taking Christie straight back into the starting side despite his not playing for more than a month.
''It seems a long time ago that he has been injured with a torn hammy. But he is fit now and raring to go. He is one of our key players. He has got leadership skills and is one of those players who can go out and play top footy.''
In other changes, lock Tom Franklin comes back into the side, Mark Reddish moves to the bench and Ross Geldenhuys replaces Fia.
Elliot Dixon moves to the blindside flanking role. John Hardie, the side's only other true openside flanker, is named in the reserves and is likely to get some time if Christie runs out of gas.
The backline remains the same as which played against the Chiefs.
The Waratahs have yet to play a side from New Zealand or South Africa and put together a scratchy win over the Reds last week.
Centre Adam Ashley-Cooper is missing, because of a mysterious knee injury, but coach Michael Cheika has resisted moving Israel Folau into the midfield.
The Australians have a side with weapons all over the park, and Joseph knows his side will have to be on its game to come away with a win.
''They're pretty strong. You do not stumble across the championship. They have X-factor players in the form of [Israel] Folau, [Kurtley] Beale and I'd put [Michael] Hopper in that.
"They've got a Wallaby tight five and a Springbok on the blindside that provide plenty of go-forward. You get a headache thinking about them, so we need to focus on our own stuff.''
