Forget the star studded backlines, Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles says two forward packs who would "die for each other" are set for a battle royal during Saturday's Super Rugby final at Westpac Stadium.
The All Blacks hooker had the highest praise for his opposition when quizzed on the lack of "name" players in the Highlanders' forwards this season.
When you have people who write you off the only way to go about your business is to prove people wrong," Coles said."I know the guys around here have a huge amount of respect for those guys. I've played with Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds, Mark Reddish, those guys are just quiet grafters who go about their work."
The Hurricanes are likely to boast four capped All Blacks in their starting pack, one in waiting in lock James Broadhurst, and another, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen in the reserves, while the Highlanders will have none.
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Coles said that meant little based on the way the Highlanders' forwards tore apart the Waratahs in Sydney during their semifinal win.
"When you have guys like that working for each other the whole 80 minutes, you can defeat any pack. They pretty much beat up a Wallabies pack, so we have a huge amount of respect for those guys."
Coles was anticipating one of the most physical matches of the season.
"It's going to be a hell of a battle because we have a great pack as well and we go about our work. When you have two packs that are pretty much going to die for each other, it's going to be an awesome battle.
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"The result they got on the weekend against the Waratahs was a huge was credit to them. Not many people were picking them to win… We have to prepare well and be up for a really physical battle… finals footy is a one-off game and anything can happen."
Coles said the build-up to last week's semifinal felt similar to a test match and he was expecting the same this week.
"I had a bit of a sleepless night last night. I need to make sure I stay calm… I think it's just letting it boil-up inside. It's so much excitement because it's something this franchise has been building toward for a long time. It's just taking it day by day."
Coles said running out to a packed Westpac Stadium for the semifinal against the Brumbies had rammed home how important the season had become.
"I looked around the whole ground and I've never seen that [a full house]. I remember being a spectator as a young fella, but it actually brought a massive smile to my face seeing the stadium packed out… I'm sure we'll get the same crowd if not better this week.
"We've been working hard since as long as I've been in the side to get the public back on our side and the only way you can do that is through results. We've done that, so to get the public on our side, filling up that stadium, it definitely makes a difference.
"You used to run out and notice all the empty yellow seats instead of all the fans. Running out was a totally different buzz and hopefully we can get the same this week."
The Hurricanes' side will be named on Thursday, but coach Chris Boyd has indicated he could give openside Ardie Savea (knee) and wings Cory Jane and Nehe Milner-Skudder (hamstrings) up until match day to prove their fitness.
