The Highlanders will be searching for more than just a win when they take on the Crusaders in Timaru tonight.
The Highlanders were beaten 36-19 by the Chiefs last Friday night in the side's first pre-season game, and while coach Glenn Moore wants his side to win tonight, the scoreline will not be the most important feature.
"We absolutely want to win. Winning sets standards and it can become a bit of a habit as well," he said.
"But the big objective is to get a lot of our game structures improved and get better in a number of areas."
Those areas include defence, having leaked six tries last week, and being more physical in the contact area.
The side's three All Blacks, captain Jimmy Cowan, prop Jamie Mackintosh and loose forward Adam Thomson, will get their first taste of rugby for the year, though they will not play much more than 30min each.
All were fully involved in training this week, with Thomson cleared to play, his injured thumb sufficiently healed.
Moore has the luxury of having all but one of his players available - Tom Donnelly the only player out because of an injured thumb - and hopes to use all 29 players listed in a match which will be played in three 30min periods.
"We just want to give more players game time. We want to build on what we did last week and build up the fitness levels.
"We're looking at combinations, building continuity and developing our game plan."
Defensive systems would need to be improved and, as ever, the breakdown would be a focus.
"Last week we pilfered a bit of ball from them [the Chiefs] and they got some from us. But that breakdown area is so important. If you've got the ball then the other team hasn't."
The side's first game in the Super 14, against the Brumbies, was only two weeks away.
"We are starting to fine-tune things and get down to the game plan."
The last time the sides met the Highlanders caused an upset win in Christchurch but Moore said that meant nothing in a new season.
The onus will be on the Highlanders tonight to put in a polished performance against a traditional Super 14 powerhouse.
It has named close to a first-choice side to run on to the park, with Cowan to captain the Highlanders for the first time.
The likely starting front row for the Super 14, Clint Newland, David Hall and Mackintosh, willlook to dominate a Crusaders front row lacking in experience.
Locks Josh Bekhuis and Hayden Triggs will want to make an impact in the absence of Donnelly and dominate the set piece, while wingers Ben Smith and Fetu'u Vainikolo are over injuries.
The Crusaders beat the Force 24-19 in Perth in their first warm-up game last week.
Highlanders v Crusaders
Timaru, 5.30pm, starting XVs
Highlanders: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Jason Shoemark, Johnny Leota, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Daniel Bowden, Jimmy Cowan (captain), Steven Setephano, Tim Boys, George Naoupu, Josh Bekhuis, Hayden Triggs, Clint Newland, David Hall, Jamie Mackintosh.
Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Kade Poki, Casey Laulala, Ryan Crotty, Sean Maitland, Stephen Brett, Steve Alfeld, Nasi Manu, George Whitelock, Jonathan Poff, Ross Filipo, Michael Paterson, Bronson Murray, Daniel Perrin, Owen Franks.
