Fiji-born wing Waisake Naholo will miss the Super Rugby opener this weekend against the Chiefs.
Stuff.co reports, Naholo will not play as the Highlanders gradually reintroduce their All Blacks.
The Highlanders will be looking for a strong start to a campaign that includes six New Zealand derbies in the first nine rounds.
The Highlanders have also suffered an early injury blow with powerful Fijian wing Tevita Nabura ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
A Highlanders spokesperson says Nabura blew his ACL at training last week after showing some good preseason form, including three tries against the Waratahs.
Highlanders take on Chiefs at 6.35pm on Friday while Brumbies play the Rebels at 8.45pm.
Blues will battle Crusaders at 6.35pm Saturday while the Waratahs take on Hurricanes at 8.45pm and Sunwolves will then play Sharks at 10.55pm
On Sunday, Stormers will battle Bulls at 3.15am and Jaguares will face Lions at 9.40am.
HIGHLANDERS TEAM TO FACE CHIEFS: 1. Ayden Johnstone, 2. Liam Coltman, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Pari Pari Parkinson, 5. Josh Dickson, 6. Jackson Hemopo, 7. James Lentjes, 8. Luke Whitelock (cc), 9. Kayne Hammington, 10. Josh Ioane, 11. Tevita Li, 12. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 13. Rob Thompson, 14. Matt Faddes, 15. Ben Smith (cc)
Replacements: Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Siate Tokolahi, Shannon Frizell, Dillon Hunt, Aaron Smith, Bryn Gatland, Patelesio Tomkinson
