The Highlanders have made four changes to their starting forward pack to face the Rebels tomorrow night at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Jack Whetton replaces an injured Josh Dickson at lock, while Teariki Ben-Nicholas steps in for Shannon Frizell, who is on an All Black rest week.
Dickson hurt a shoulder last week, although it is hoped he will be fine to travel to South Africa with the side on Monday.
In the front row, Daniel Lienert-Brown and Ash Dixon come in from the bench to swap places with Liam Coltman and Ayden Johnstone.
In the only change to the backline, Josh McKay replaces Kirisi Kuridrani on the right wing.
Coach Aaron Mauger said it was a chance to re-energise the side, rather than a reflection of form.
"Just a chance to freshen things up.
"The guys we’ve changed have had a big shift the first few weeks.
"Just a fresh energy, not really form-related, just to make sure we’re using our whole squad.
"Those guys that have been off the bench have done a great job.
"Ash and DLB [Lienert-Brown] brought great impact off the bench.
"It’s their turn to start this week and for Ayden and Colty it’s about impacting the game when they come on."
Mauger is expecting a tough match from the Rebels, a side that he said had improved in recent weeks.
He was wary of its backline which contained plenty of firepower in the likes of Marika Koroibete, Dane Haylett-Petty and Matt Toomua.
Containing them would be key and he knew the side would have to be better defensively than it had been in last week’s loss to the Crusaders.
"More so getting set, we just weren’t in the right positions early in that first half to make dominant tackles.
"We had quite high dominant tackles the first couple of weeks.That was a little bit disappointing.
"I think for our guys it’s understanding the intensity when you’re playing a quality side like the Crusaders. Every little split second counts.
"We weren’t quite where we need to be early on, but we sorted it out in the second half and got it right."
Despite the loss last week, he felt the team was continuing to move forward.
Highlanders v Rebels
Forsyth Barr Stadium, tomorrow, 7.05pm
Highlanders: Michael Collins, Josh McKay, Rob Thompson, Josh Ioane, Jona Nareki, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, James Lentjes (c), Teariki Ben- Nicholas, Jack Whetton, Jesse Parete, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Ayden Johnstone, Jeff Thwaites, Manaaki Selby- Rickit, Dillon Hunt, Kayne Hammington, Tei Walden, Scott Gregory.
Rebels: Dane Haylett-Petty (capt), Andrew Kellaway, Tom English, Billy Meakes, Marika Koroibete, Matt Toomua, Ryan Louwrens, Isi Naisarani, Richard Hardwick, Angus Cottrell, Matt Philip, Gideon Koegelenberg, Jermaine Ainsley, Anaru Rangi, Matt Gibbon. Res: Jordan Uelese, Cameron Orr, Cabous Eloff, Ross Haylett-Petty, Rob Leota, Frank Lomani, Michael Wells, Andrew Deegan.