The Crusaders, who had a scrappy 17-13 win over the Brumbies in Christchurch on Saturday night, venture south to take on their neighbours in what looms as an intense encounter.
The Crusaders will be without first-choice first five-eighth Richie Mo'unga for the clash after he broke a bone in his hand during the Brumbies match. He is out for up to two months.
But Crusaders assistant coach Leon MacDonald told media in Christchurch yesterday he had full confidence in his replacement, whoever that might be.
``Richie is a quality player and he is leading the team really well. So he's obviously a loss but we have got a lot of quality players in our squad so we are really confident in the guy who will come in and do the job,'' MacDonald said.
``We've got a few options, Mitchell Hunt or Marty McKenzie ... Marty is very capable, Mitch has played under-20s and played a bit of rugby. I don't think we are digging deep at all. Both have played a lot of rugby.''
MacDonald said flanker Matt Todd, who missed the game with a skin infection, should hopefully be back, although that depended on how well his infection settled.
MacDonald said captain Sam Whitelock was days away from being a father. That had made for a disrupted opening week for the big lock but he had handled it well.
MacDonald said the win over the Brumbies was a mixed bag but the side had won and knew it could play better.
``I think, in patches, we played well. We attacked really well. Some of the handling was fantastic. But we mixed it with over-excitement and trying to do a few too many things.
``It was a typical first-up game ... the cohesion wasn't as good as it could be. To get away with a win, we've got to be happy with that.''
The former All Black utility back said the side was looking forward to heading south.
``The local derbies mean a lot. As soon as the final whistle blew [last Saturday] the boys were talking about it. There was an intense rivalry right back to when Super rugby started.''
He was not taking anything out of the Highlanders' first-up loss to the Chiefs last Friday night.
``I thought the Highlanders played really well but that was not reflected on the scoreboard. A couple of turnover tries from their mistakes - a little bit like our game.
``It will not dishearten them but they will be determined to have a win at home. It will motivate them more.''
The Highlanders are likely to be without captain and fullback Ben Smith because of concussion. With co-captain Ash Dixon still injured, the side will need a new captain. First five-eighth Lima Sopoaga may be handed the reins, while Otago captain Liam Coltman is another option.
Meanwhile, in Christchurch over the weekend, the Highlanders and Crusaders development teams fought out a 34-34 draw. The teams are set to meet again in Dunedin this Saturday.