After six weeks of hard slog and many hours on the training field, the feeling of getting out and doing what one is paid for awaits the Highlanders today.
The Tony Brown head coaching era gets under way in the small central Canterbury town of Darfield this afternoon.
The Highlanders take on the Crusaders in the first warm-up game of the season.The side has been waiting for it, although it is very much a couple of below full strength teams lining up.
In fact you could argue only one of the starting Highlanders players — Tom Franklin — would make a first-choice Highlanders starting side.
But that does not make the game a waste of time. Squad depth is all-important in a gruelling competition like Super Rugby and it is a chance for the new players to get a first hit-out in the jersey.
One does not have to look back too far to realise a good pre-season can go a long way.
Brown is looking forward to the match and what comes out of it.
"All the guys are looking forward to having a bit of a hit-out. Giving themselves a bit of contact for the first time this year," Brown said.
"The boys have been working pretty hard on their conditioning, strength and power, and doing a bit of stuff on our game. We just need to put that all together under pressure, challenging ourselves I guess."
"Results always matter. We are going out there to play well and if you do that then the results usually go your way."
James Lentjes gets first crack on the openside flank which is shaping up as a big battle to get the starting berth for the first game. Shane Christie and Dan Pryor will not front for this game, so Lentjes has a chance.
The Taieri man was excellent for Otago last year in the Mitre 10 Cup and will want to transfer that form to the next level.
The match will be played at the Darfield Rugby Club and it should be a hard and fast track.
The game is a world away from the Highlanders’ opening pre-season game last year, when the side travelled to Hong Kong to play French side Racing 92.
Referees Mike Fraser and Jamie Nutbrown will get a half each to be prepared for the season ahead.
Super rugby pre-season
Darfield, today, 5pm.
Highlanders: Jason Emery, Fa’asiu Fuata’i, Sio Tomkinson, Rob Thompson, Tevita Li, Fletcher Smith, Kayne Hammington, Luke Whitelock (captain), James Lentjes, Gareth Evans, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Guy Millar, Adrian Smith, Craig Millar. Reserves: Greg Pleasants-Tate, Aki Seiuli, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Siate Tokolahi, Alex Ainley, Josh Dickson, Adam Knight, Dillon Hunt, Josh Renton, Marty Banks, Teihorangi Walden, Matt Faddes, Jona Nareki
Crusaders: Marty McKenzie, Manasa Mataele, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Jordan Taufau (captain), Jed Brown, Pete Samu, Luke Romano, Mitchell Dunshea, Michael Alaalatoa, Ben Funnell, Tim Perry. Reserves: Nathan Vella, Andrew Makalio, Oliver Jager, Chris Gawler, Samu Tawake, Quinten Strange, Pari Pari Parkinson, Tom Christie, Whetu Douglas, Leo Fukofuka, Era Enari, Mitchell Hunt, Sione Fifita, Tim Bateman, Seta Tamanivalu, Sean Wainui, Inga Finau.
Referees: Jamie Nutbrown and Mike Fraser