The Crusaders and Highlanders will meet for the 33rd time since 1996 on Saturday night.

As if Mark Hammett needed reminding of how big a deal a South Island derby is.

But the Highlanders' assistant coach and former Crusader got it on Thursday afternoon, when he was made available to media ahead of Saturday night's fixture at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

In addition to the usual interview at the team's headquarters for local media, Hammett spent a chunk of the afternoon taking phone calls as the countdown to the most anticipated match of round five continues.

DIANNE MANSON/GETTY IMAGES Highlanders assistant coach Mark Hammett.

"It must be a big match . . . I've had about 20 interviews," Hammett told Stuff.

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"It's fantastic. We've just about sold out, it's massive. To be part of that, that's what the players play for. It will be a brilliant environment to play in. Bring on Saturday."

DAVE WETHEY/STUFF Former Crusaders hooker Mark Hammett, pictured in action in the 2002 Super Rugby final against the Brumbies.

Hammett, who played 81 games for the Crusaders between 1996-2003, has seen both sides of arguably the tastiest rivalry in Super Rugby.

As a player and assistant coach (2007-10), he helped the red and blacks win nine of 15 games between the franchises, while last year he was on the receiving end of three-consecutive losses to his former team in his first year as Highlanders assistant forwards coach.

Including last season's 17-0 quarterfinal loss, the Highlanders have only won two of their past 11 games against the Crusaders, and trail 22-10 in the head-to-head stakes.

ANTHONY AU-YEUNG/GETTY Highlanders prop Kalolo Tuiloma, pictured in action playing for Counties Manukau against Hawke's Bay in last year's Mitre 10 Cup, is set to make his Super Rugby debut against the Crusaders on Saturday night.

However, Hammett knows the numbers mean very little come 7.35pm on Saturday.

"Whether it's the Crusaders or the Highlanders, from a mindset perspective, both teams are going to be hugely up for it. It's always the way with these derby games, so ultimately I think it will be the team that plays with a cool head," he said.

In overturning a 27-6 deficit and burgling a win in the corresponding fixture last year, and snatching a memorable scalp via a 43m Mitch Hunt drop goal in Christchurch, that was the Crusaders last year.

GETTY IMAGES Highlanders wing Waisake Naholo has torched the Crusaders for eight tries in the past five games between the sides.

The Highlanders haven't put themselves through 240 minutes of torture by re-living the three 2017 defeats in full, but they have re-visited the matches in an attempt to learn from past mistakes.

"What were the key moments? Could we have played tactically a bit different? Did we need to connect better? Did we need to play more territory?" Hammett said.

"And it's not just in games against each other, it's always a learning when you come out of games that perhaps you should have won and didn't."

Naturally, Hammett also reviewed the Crusaders' 29-19 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington last weekend.

But rather than feast his eyes on the Hurricanes storming out to a 21-0 lead at almost a point a minute, Hammett was more interested in watching the Crusaders dig deep and fight their way back into the match.

"I was pretty impressed with how the Crusaders came back and got back into the game with a mixture of tempo and playing set piece, so it's a challenge for us to try and stay on top of that," he said.

The Highlanders have made two changes to their starting side for the 33rd fixture between the teams since 1996.

Having beaten the Stormers to improve to 2-0 on the season last weekend, Mauger has replaced left-wing Tevita Nabura with Tevita Li, and switched loosehead prop Aki Seiuli into the starting side for Daniel Lienert-Brown.

Question marks were raised over the decision to replace highly touted prop Tyrel Lomax with uncapped Counties Manukau prop Kalolo Tuiloma on the bench, a decision Hammett said came down to the need to give Lomax significant game time for the Bravehearts (Highlanders development team) against the Crusaders Knights on Saturday.

"He's [Tuiloma] obviously a really destructive ball carrier, some of his clean outs are outstanding. We know he's not the finished product, but he can be a really destructive scrummager, as well."

AT A GLANCE

Highlanders v Crusaders

Saturday, 7.35pm

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Referee: Nick Briant

Highlanders: Ben Smith (co-captain), Waisake Naholo, Rob Thompson, Tei Walden, Tevita Li, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, Dillon Hunt, Liam Squire, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Siate Tokolahi, Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli. Reserves: Ash Dixon (co-captain), Daniel Lienert-Brown, Kalolo Tuiloma, Shannon Frizell, Elliot Dixon, Kayne Hammington, Fletcher Smith, Matt Faddes.

Crusaders: David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Tim Bateman, George Bridge, Mitchell Hunt, Mitchell Drummond, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Sam Whitelock (captain) Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Chris King, Oliver Jager, Luke Romano, Billy Harmon, Bryn Hall, Mike Delany, Manasa Mataele.

TICKET GIVEAWAY

To help everyone keep their eyes on the ball, Specsavers and Investec Super Rugby are ensuring you don't miss a thing by giving Stuff readers the chance to win a double pass to the Chiefs v Highlanders match in Hamilton on March 30. The prize comes with a voucher for two pairs of designer frames from Specsavers.

To enter, simply join the Rugby Stuff Facebook group, or head to the page if you're already a member. In the comments field of the giveaway post pick the score for the Highlanders v Crusaders match this Saturday.

The closest score prediction will win the prize. Entry cut-off is 7.35pm on Saturday.