The teams meet at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in a match which will have a large bearing on seasons of both. The Highlanders have the bragging rights, courtesy of sitting sixth on the table, two places higher than the Hurricanes, and having won the first match between the sides in the competition this season.
The Highlanders sneaked home 19-17 in Wellington in March but Hurricanes lock Jason Eaton said the team was not thinking much about that result in preparing for Saturday's game.
"We do not really see it as a chance of revenge. It feels like a long time ago and it is. If anything you've got to learn from that game and take that into this game," Eaton said.
"The guys are getting to know each other. We're a young side and the longer we spend time together and the more we play together then the better we play as a team.
"The individuals have got the skills and we have to work together as a team."
The Hurricanes have been up and down this year, with good performances against the likes of the Blues and the Sharks, interspersed with disappointing efforts against the Crusaders and the Cheetahs.
The Hurricanes are coming off a convincing 35-19 victory over the Blues last Friday night.
"It was nice to come back from a couple of average efforts and play like that. But in saying that it does not mean much if we go out and don't play well this week.
"What was working for us is we are able to score points from a lot of broken play and throwing the ball around."
Eaton said the set piece from the Hurricanes was still improving and the side had players which could turn a game quickly.
But the Hurricanes' front eight would have to match the physicality of the Highlanders pack and Eaton said players would be working hard on that part of the game this week.
Eaton is making a super comeback after he was written off at the end of the season, when no New Zealand side appeared to want the 15-test All Black.
But he was always confident he could still play at this level.
"It just took a while to get it all done. Other stuff happened and with the move to franchise contracting things moved a bit slowly. But I was always going to re-sign."
The Hurricanes are relatively injury-free.
Eaton was looking forward to catching up with former team-mate Andrew Hore after the game.
"I've heard they have a bit of a booze ban on but I'd say about 9.15 on Saturday night that might have to end when I catch up with Horey."
