Wilson said there were many emotions heading into the game for the Highlanders and they would be sure to harness that.
``A couple of the coaches who are there, who were instrumental in turning the team around and carrying on when Jamie [Joseph] left, are looking to move on,'' Wilson said.
``They [Highlanders] seem to be one of those teams that do not lack for motivation and can use that emotion to their advantage. That can give that extra 1-2% which can mean a lot in these sorts of games.''
Head coach Tony Brown is heading to be the assistant coach of Japan after the season while defence coach Scott McLeod is linking up with the All Blacks.
Wilson said it was an interesting time for the Crusaders.
They had not started off as the best team in the competition but had grown into that.
``But now they have lost a couple on the bounce and know they will have to be on their game.''
The Crusaders lost to the British and Irish Lions and then went down to the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday night.
Wilson said the fact Highlanders coach Tony Brown said before the quarterfinal line-up had been decided that he wanted to go to Christchurch and play the Crusaders was a huge advantage.
``He wanted the Crusaders, did not want to deal with the travel. If you want to win this thing then you have to go through Christchurch so the way Tony has approached it you might as well play them in the quarterfinal early on.
``And looking at the playoffs, the quarterfinals, every other game is away. So we've got the benefit of a local derby in Christchurch.''
The Highlanders had made a slow start to the season - losing three of their first four games - but have lost just once since then, going down to the Crusaders in Christchurch in early June.
``We know they had a difficult start to the season but they have played fantastically well throughout the season. The way they are playing must give them a hell of a lot of belief.
``They were very unlucky to lose to the Crusaders down in Dunedin and then a 48m dropped goal beat them, which shows what it takes to beat them.''
Wilson said the Crusaders obviously had a quality and experienced forward pack but the Highlanders had a lot of talent in the backline.
He said both sides had the ability to play for the entire 80 minutes and had incredibly strong defences so it was bound to come down to a few key moments.
The weather would be cold - ``it was Christchurch in July'' - but the Highlanders would want a dry cold so they could use their dangerous backs.
The Highlanders will be looking to welcome back fullback Ben Smith and halfback Aaron Smith after they were rested for the game against the Reds last Friday night.
Wilson will be in Christchurch for the game, where he will be part of the Sky Sport coverage.