Injuries to Liam Coltman and Rhys Marshall mean Leni Apisai is poised to make an unlikely appearance for the franchise.
He has been named in the reserves and will almost certainly make his debut at some stage in the second half.
Incredibly, the Auckland rake has spent time as a replacement with four New Zealand franchises this season.
Coach Tony Brown is confident he will make the step up.
"Leni has been with us for a couple for weeks now, but he has been with the squad off and on for the whole year, really.
"We’ve had ongoing injury problems with all our hookers, so he has been a great addition to the team. He fits into the environment well and it is a good opportunity for him to play his debut."
Apisai would have a lot of handy inside information tucked away given his travels, but Brown said the Highlanders had not put the heat on him to dish the skinny on the Blues.
"We won’t ask him to sacrifice his [integrity]. He just adds to every team he goes to."
A couple of key players have returned to bolster the Highlanders.
All Blacks loose forward Shannon Frizell has been named on the bench. He returns after a six-week injury break.
There is no James Lentjes, though. He has a shoulder injury and has been replaced in the starting line-up by Hugh Renton, who has done well when he has had opportunities this season.
Scott Gregory has been reinstated to the midfield after missing last week due to illness, and Mosese Dawai has been given the nod on the left wing.
Dawai has also been struggling with illness, but his form has not been particularly compelling either.
Frizell’s return will boast the confidence levels. He was the Highlanders’ best player until he succumbed to a knee injury in early April.
He played 40 minutes of club rugby in the weekend and looked like the Frizell of old.
"He is obviously a quality rugby player and he is going to give the players a lot of confidence," Brown said.
"When he gets on the field, he is going to bring the physicality required to beat the Blues.
"We’ll look to inject early on in the second half."
Brown was not tempted to start him.
"We just feel as though he will have his biggest impact for the team finishing the game."
The Blues, who have won 13 games on the trot, have named a quality line-up that includes 11 All Blacks and two Maori All Blacks.
Blues coach Leon MacDonald had the luxury of resting some of his most experienced players last weekend.
Regular props Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Alex Hodgman are back.
The loose forward trio of Dalton Papalii, Akira Ioane and Hoskins Sotutu are frightening to think about if you are a Highlanders fan.
All Black Beauden Barrett will start at first five, with dangerous midfielders Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Rieko Ioane outside him.
Three key match-ups
There are intriguing match-ups all across the field in the Highlanders-Blues quarterfinal tomorrow night. Hayden Meikle picks out three.
1. Ethan de Groot (Highlanders) v 3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues)
Rising star versus established All Black. De Groot has had a mightily impressive year and, at just 21, shapes as the cornerstone of the Highlanders pack for years to come. Tu’ungafasi knows all the tricks of the trade now, and the Blues will look to his power to set the platform for their attacking weapons.
7. Billy Harmon (Highlanders) v 7. Dalton Papalii (Blues)
Drums are beating for Papalii — a wonderful all-round player who has no real weaknesses — to take the No 7 All Blacks jersey this season. But do not sleep on Harmon. He has been brilliant since returning from injury, and has a dynamic physicality that makes him a great fit for a very good Highlanders loose trio.
9. Aaron Smith (Highlanders) v 9. Finlay Christie (Blues)
The reality is the Blues shade most of the individual match-ups across the backline. But the Highlanders might have a trump card behind the scrum. By his own insanely high standards, Smith has not had an amazing season, but he has sometimes not had much to work with, and class is permanent. Christie is abrasive and energetic, and he will be eager to make his mark.
Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinal teams
Highlanders: Connor Garden-Bachop, Fetuli Paea, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Scott Gregory, Mosese Dawai, Marty Banks, Aaron Smith (captain), Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Billy Harmon, Hugh Renton, Josh Dickson, Bryn Evans, Jermaine Ainsley, Andrew Makalio, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Leni Apisai, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Max Hicks, Shannon Frizell, Folau Fakatava, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Denny Solomona.
Blues: Stephen Perofeta, Bryce Heem, Rieko Ioane, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Mark Telea, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalii (captain), Akira Ioane, Tom Robinson, James Tucker, Ofa Tuungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Alex Hodgman. Reserves: Soane Vikena, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, AJ Lam, Zarn Sullivan.
