England and Argentina open their Rugby World Cup campaigns at Otago Stadium tonight and the match has been billed as a battle for the top of Pool B, although Scotland might have something to say about that.
Normally, the dynamic 26-year-old would be slotting in at the back of the scrum. But with England captain Lewis Moody sidelined through injury, Haskell will switch to open-side flanker with Nick Easter playing at No 8.
It is a move which has upset one or two - most notably former England No 8 Lawrence Dallaglio. He believes Haskell offers much more at No 8 and would like to see him remain there.
Haskell, though, is comfortable with the switch.
"I'm very comfortable playing seven," he said.
"I enjoy it and think I can offer something there. Luckily, I have a whole team around me and can just focus on one little job and the guys will take care of everything else.
"You always have to take responsibility when you are filling someone like Lewis Moody's boots. He has been a guy that has been around for a long time.
"He has 70 odd caps, he puts his body on the line and, when people think of England they think of Lewis. So obviously I want to give a good a account of myself.
"But there are so many good players on that field that you fit in as if it is a machine ... and I'm just one small part."
Not so small, though.
At 1.94m and 111kg, Haskell brings a lot of physicality to the game.
But while he has played 37 tests for England, he has only recently cemented his place in the starting line-up.
And his decision to skip next season's Six Nations to play for the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan did not go over well with everyone back home.
But there is nothing like being in a foreign country to help galvanise loyalties.
"You can feel it - you know guys are desperate because ... when you come to New Zealand, where the whole place is rugby mad, you want to make sure you perform.
"Everywhere we go people keep wishing us good luck and passing [saying] 'you're gonna need it'. That is just New Zealand - it's a good place to be."
Haskell said it was important England made a positive start to the tournament.
"We all know it is very important to get a good result on the board to start with. We are in the deep end against Argentina.
"Our group is very tough but ... the talking stops once the World Cup starts. It is the same as the Six Nations - one loss and you're on shaky ground.
"It is about taking the game in sections - each half, each minute and winning those rather than worrying about the bigger picture."