Shaun Stevenson will return at fullback to make a back three with wings Leroy Carter and Emoni Narawa, while centre Anton Lienert-Brown will be on the bench after his return from injury.
Coach Clayton McMillan said, "The squad is focused and fired up for a physical contest.
"The Highlanders are a tough, well-drilled side who fight for everything and each other. They will have taken confidence out of their most recent performance while we were bitterly disappointed in ours [a 14-21 loss to the Waratahs].
"But each week represents another opportunity for growth, and at home in front of our fans there is no greater motivation."
The Chiefs have named a powerful bench: hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho and props Jared Proffit and Reuben O'Neill, loose forwards Jimmy Tupou and Kaylum Boshier, halfback Cortez Ratima and first five-eighths Josh Jacomb and Lienert-Brown.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said he was pleased with how the Highlanders found a way to overcome the Drua 43-20 to set themselves up with some confidence heading into the Chiefs game on Saturday.
The coaches and players are aligned, which has been a factor in their success. It also helped to have co-captain and No8 Hugh Renton back from injury.
"His leadership was telling, and good leadership creates confidence which we were lacking."
Joseph said he wasn't watching the points table but preparing the team to play the Chiefs.
"If I can prepare the players to the best of their ability, then they've got more chance of featuring at the end of the season. It is game by game.
"The Chiefs are one of the better teams in the competition so we have to be on song."
Cameron Millar will start again at first five-eighths after impressing against the Drua.
"We're a high-performance team, and whether it's Cam versus Taine [Robinson] or Gruder [Ethan de Groot] versus DLB [Daniel Lienert-Brown], we're only at our best when everyone's playing their best.
"My attitude around selection is to reward the players that are playing well."