The major feature of the first Highlanders team of the season, named only yesterday, was the inclusion of Tamati Ellison and James Haskell.
Ellison, the former All Black and Hurricane, slots straight in at centre, playing outside Phil Burleigh, who just three weeks ago was in the Chiefs wider squad.
Haskell, the talismanic English international who can cover all three loose forward positions, is named on the bench.
Both men are in line for the their Highlanders debuts against the Chiefs, barely 48 hours after arriving from their club commitments in Japan.
"They're both ready to go. They slept on the flight home and they aren't tired at all," Joseph said yesterday.
"I guess the challenge will be whether they are up to speed with our systems. But they've looked comfortable in their first run with us.
"We need a bit more experience in that line-up, particularly in the midfield. Having a guy like Tamati coming into the team means a lot for us."
Aside from Ellison and Burleigh, four other players in the starting XV will play their first competitive game for the Highlanders.
Experienced All Black Andrew Hore starts at hooker, returning to his home region after earning 112 caps for the Hurricanes.
Another former Hurricane, All Black Hosea Gear, begins what all Highlanders fans will hope will be a long and productive career in the South with a start on the left wing.
A surprise starter on the right wing is Buxton Popoali'i, the Otago livewire who has been elevated from the wider training squad.
Completing the roster of newcomers, Chris Noakes starts at first five-eighth, with Colin Slade still not at full fitness.
Noakes, who was unconvincing in a three-year Otago career, appears to have been preferred to Lima Sopoaga for his superior goal-kicking and maturity.
"Chris is just a little bit older and more stable, especially early on in a big game," Joseph said.
"But Lima can still play a big role in the game once it loosens up."
Only two of the backs - halfback Jimmy Cowan and fullback Ben Smith - have played for the Highlanders before.
To Joseph's relief, reliable tighthead prop Chris King has been passed fit to play after battling a groin injury.
Haskell has two newcomers for company on the bench in former Chiefs lock Culum Retallick and fullback Kurt Baker, finally ready for a Highlanders debut after missing the 2011 campaign with injury.
Siale Piutau (ankle), Kade Poki (knee), Kendrick Lynn (neck), Shaun Treeby (knee) and Ma'afu Fia (hamstring) were other players not considered.
