Cane has become a vital cog in his franchise's goal to win their first Super Rugby title.
His relatively low centre of gravity - unusual for a player 1.89m tall and weighing 104kg - and speed allow him to get to the breakdown quicker than most in his position, which has helped give his team quick second-phase ball, allowing Aaron Cruden and Sonny Bill Williams the opportunity to get their speedsters Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Tim Nanai-Williams and Lelia Masaga to cause damage on the flanks.
Cane's rise at the Chiefs has been helped by the wealth of experience offered by teammates Tanerau Latimer and Liam Messam.
Messam said he was pleased with the way the youngster had taken to test and Super rugby.
Messam and Cane each played a part in the other's points tally against Ireland - Messam made the crucial break which lead to Cane's second try, while Cane broke the line and offloaded to Messam who ran 20m for his try.
Cane, Messam, Williams and Retallick are all in the playing 22 for Friday's match. The Highlanders beat the Chiefs in their last encounter way back in round one and are desperate to win to help break into the top six in the leaders table.
In the other New Zealand derby, the Crusaders host the Hurricanes in Christchurch on Saturday. The red and blacks are second in the New Zealand conference and fourth overall. There were ominous signs before the Super Rugby break that the seven-time champions had found their form when they dismantled the Highlanders 51-18.
It's hard to see Conrad Smith and his boys from the capital toppling the Crusaders at home.
Australian conference leaders the Brumbies travel to Perth to take on the hapless Western Force, while the Rebels host the Reds in Melbourne.
The South African conference kicks off on Sunday morning with the Stormers hosting the Lions in Cape Town and the Bulls and Cheetahs playing in Pretoria.
The Blues, Waratahs and Sharks have the bye.
Super Rugby draw, round 16:
Friday: Highlanders v Chiefs, Dunedin, 7.35pm; Rebels v Reds, Melbourne, 9.40pm.
Saturday: Crusaders v Hurricanes, Christchurch, 7.35pm; Force v Brumbies, Perth, 9.40pm.
Sunday: Stormers v Lions, Cape Town, 3.05am; Bulls v Cheetahs, Pretoria, 5.10am.
Chiefs to play Highlanders
Robbie Robinson, Tim Nanai-Williams, Jackson Willison, Sonny Bill Williams, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Kane Thompson, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke (c), Ben Tameifuna, Mahonri Schwalger, Toby Smith. Reserves: Hika Elliot, Sona Taumalolo, Michael Fitzgerald, Sam Cane, Brendon Leonard, Andrew Horrell, Lelia Masaga.
