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They are down at least half a dozen All Blacks between them but neither the Hurricanes nor the Highlanders are going to let that affect them when they go into battle in Wellington on Saturday night.
Hurricanes winger Nehe Milner-Skudder was confirmed yesterday as missing this week's game which is a replay of the 2015 final.
Milner-Skudder, who missed all of last year because of a shoulder complaint, injured his ankle in last Friday night's game against the Chiefs and limped off the field.
He is in a moon boot and Hurricanes assistant coach Jason Holland told media in Wellington yesterday Milner-Skudder was no chance to take the field on Saturday.
The side is waiting for more results before it can get a definite diagnosis on the All Black outside back and his immediate playing prospects.
Also missing is Cory Jane while lock Vaea Fifita, who went on the All Black tour last year without playing, is coming back from an ankle injury.
The Highlanders are missing a whole raft of players through injury with All Blacks Lima Sopoaga (hamstring), Waisake Naholo (hamstring) and Liam Squire (knee) all definite non-starters.
Captain Ben Smith has missed the past couple of games as a result of concussion and it is unknown whether he will front on Saturday night.
The Highlanders have options on the outsides and will look at bringing in Patrick Osborne for his fellow Fijian Naholo while there is also Matt Faddes in the wings.
Otago pivot Fletcher Smith is a candidate for the first five-eighth position. Marty Banks came off the bench in last Saturday night's win over the Blues at Eden Park but appeared short of match fitness.
He is coming off hamstring and knee injuries picked up since pre-season started.
Holland, though, is not expecting a second-string Highlanders side to show up for the match against the defending champion.
``They can still put a pretty good fifteen on the field. They might say the same about us. It is going to be massive whatever happens. We know what sort of challenge it may be,'' Holland said.
``The boys are ready to go again. The physicality goes up again and you've got to be aggressive and be bold. It will be no different this weekend.''
The match may turn into an aerial battle with many sides so far preferring to give the other team the ball and then hassle them into mistakes.
Holland said the kicking game of the Hurricanes had to be better.
He added that Milner-Skudder might be disappointed about his injury but he was already back contributing to the team.
The Highlanders do have some form on the board in Wellington. They went down in the last minute against the Hurricanes there last season but previous to that had won four in a row in the capital against the home team.