Prospects of further policing of the off-side line in fourth round games of Super Rugby Aotearoa could mean that the dry-weather surface in Dunedin will spark some running rugby when the Highlanders host the Crusaders on Saturday.
Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger felt the freedom attacking sides were getting as a consequence of the changed emphasis on the off-side line could result in a fast-moving game.
As far as Crusaders coach Scott Robertson was concerned playing under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium would not be an issue for the side.
The dry conditions would be better than what they had been experiencing in Christchurch recently and they would be able to play the high-tempo game they enjoy.
It was a while since they had played in Dunedin due to the cancellation of last year's scheduled game on the same day as the mosque attacks in Christchurch in 2019.
Tom Christie returns as the openside flanker for the Crusaders for his first appearance in the revamped competition. He had been the form openside during the regular season but injury prevented his earlier return and Billy Harmon had been taking advantage of his opportunity.
The operation on blindside flanker Cullen Grace's thumb injury had been successful, but he will miss the remainder of the season.
Robertson said he had been surprised that Grace had performed so well in his first season of Super Rugby.
But he was an under-stated individual, yet at the same time, he was mature.
"He's got the ability to rise to the occasion, the physicality is probably the mainstay of his game. The bigger matches haven't daunted him. He's just a calm nature and we just kept putting him out there and trusting him and he kept delivering," he said.
It would also provide Ethan Blackadder with a chance for more game time. He was a slightly different player who had what Robertson called 'a rechargeable battery'.
"He just keeps going, there's no stop on him. He's had that shoulder injury, he's come back and now it's his opportunity. He's just relentless," he said.
The Highlanders were playing more rugby compared to earlier in the season. They had hit Super Rugby Aotearoa running to catch the Chiefs with a good game plan and had maintained their momentum with the Blues.
Earlier, in Super Rugby, a couple of things hadn't gone their way but they were now and things could change quickly. They had a hard-working coaching group and a hard-working group of players and that was what it took to get change," he said.
Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger said he believed the side had matured since earlier in the season and there had been plenty of self-reliance during the lockdown which resulted in a more determined attitude when they returned to prepare for Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Against his old team, Mauger was aware the Highlanders couldn't afford to give the Crusaders any freebies by way of turnovers.
He said there wasn't too much to read into the changes in the front row as the players named were deserving of their chances.
Michael Collins would provide some necessary experience at fullback, an area that hadn't been strong in the first part of the campaign and would ensure the back three were well driven.
The Crusaders were a team that required an 80-minute effort against them which had been the message for the Highlanders.
"We've identified some opportunities, and we look forward to throwing our game at them on Saturday night," he said.
Central to their hopes would be containing the Crusaders' lineout where Sam Whitelock was a player to be respected. He would be a good test for Josh Dickson and Paripari Parkinson, both of whom had advanced their games this season, and it would be an exciting opportunity for them," he said.
The teams are:
Highlanders: 1.Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2.Liam Coltman, 3.Jeff Thwaites, 4.Paripari Parkinson, 5.Josh Dickson, 6.Shannon Frizell, 7.Dillon Hunt, 8.Marino Mikaele Tu'u, 9.Aaron Smith, 10.Mitch Hunt, 11.Jona Nareki, 12.Patelesio Tomkinson, 13.Rob Thompson, 14.Ngatungane Punivai, 15.Michael Collins.
Substitutes: 16.Ash Dixon, 17.Ayden Johnstone, 18.Siate Tokolahi, 19.Jack Whetton, 20.Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 21.Kayne Hammington, 22.Bryn Gatland, 23.Vilimoni Koroi.
Crusaders: 1.Joe Moody, 2.Codie Taylor (captain), 3.Michael Alaalatoa, 4.Sam Whitelock, 5.Mitchell Dunshea, 6.Ethan Blackadder, 7.Tom Christie, 8.Whetukamokamo Douglas, 9.Mitchell Drummond, 10.Richie Mo'unga, 11.Leicester Faingaanuku, 12.Jack Goodhue, 13.Braydon Ennor, 14.Will Jordan, 15.David Havili.
Substitutes: 16.Andrew Makalio, 17.George Bower, 18.Oliver Jager, 19.Quinten Strange, 20.Sione Havili, 21.Ereatara Enari, 22.Fetuli Paea, 23.Sevu Reece.