The Crusaders are the most talented team in the Super 15 on paper and, if they play to their potential, will be hard to bowl.
They may be without Richie McCaw but they can still put forward a team stacked full of All Blacks.
But - and this is a not-insignificant but - games are not won on paper, nor on reputation. They are won on grass, and through attitude and desire. That is what the Highlanders need to bring to the party today.
It is about being 100% accurate in what they do, tackling any Crusaders player who moves, and taking any chance, no matter how slight, that comes along.
Goals must be kicked, passes sent to hand, and nothing left out on the paddock.
The Highlanders have had a start to the season that, five weeks ago, many would not have even considered possible.
To be top of the New Zealand conference and have won three of their opening four games is an impressive achievement, especially from a side which is not laden with talent like the blokes 350km up the road.
The Highlanders have picked up those wins through some real strength at the breakdown, making few errors, and being very physical in what they do.
Players like Jarrad Hoeata, Adam Thomson and Nasi Manu have been playing above themselves and need to once again put their bodies on the line today.
Last week, the Highlanders came second at the breakdown and therefore second on the scoreboard.
They simply can not afford to be meek in the collision today.
Midfield backs Shaun Treeby and Kendrick Lynn have the big task of keeping Robbie Fruean and Sonny Bill Williams in check. Easier said than done but the Highlanders duo are yet to finish second this year.
This is a big match for lock Tom Donnelly.
Slow to begin the season because of a shoulder injury, he gets his first start of the season and comes up against All Blacks Brad Thorn and Sam Whitelock.
Donnelly is in a major battle to win a locking berth in the World Cup squad and must do the basics well tonight and get on top of his illustrious opponents.
The Crusaders lost their first game against the Blues but have bounced back to beat two Australian teams (Waratahs and Brumbies) in the past two weeks.
At times in those games they have simply looked untouchable.
But they have also been untidy in patches and will have in the back of their minds the long trip to London next week to take on the Sharks.
One place the Crusaders will look to attack the Highlanders is in the scrum with the Franks brothers sure to bring their top game to the table.
Highlanders skipper and prop Jamie Mackintosh will take his place on the bench tonight after being declared fit.
He is slowly getting over a sore knee but has an elbow injury and is also managing an osteitis pubis complaint.
Flanker John Hardie has also come on to the bench with just the two backs among the replacements - halfback Aaron Smith and utility Robbie Robinson.
