Hanks, in his first year as Waikato coach and trying to replace Warren Gatland, has had far from a dream debut.
Handicapped by the loss of 19 players from last year, Waikato has scored just the two wins and languishes in 10th position on the competition ladder.
Otago has had one more win and sits in seventh place in the ladder but Waikato is still in with a chance of making the quarterfinals.
It plays Otago this Friday night and then Taranaki in the final game of the round, both at home, and if it wins those games it should make the final eight.
Hanks, though, is not looking any further ahead than this Friday night.
"We've had silly errors throughout our games. You can put it down to inexperience or just not quite having the control at the right time," Hanks said.
He said Otago appeared to be suffering from the same problems, and with so many new players coupled with new rules, it was taking a while for the team to adjust.
Other unions like North Harbour and Auckland considered themselves big unions and they were also struggling, Hanks said.
Flanker Faifili Levave was likely to be available this week.
Hanks had lost key players to injury, such as props Nathan White and Craig West, and lock Kevin O'Neill, who played for the All Blacks this year, was due to have shoulder surgery this week, and was out for the season.
The side had none of its five All Blacks available this week.
"This weekend has come down to being a knockout game. There are eight teams, really, going for three places.
"We have plenty of respect for Otago. We haven't played them since 2006 and look forward to facing them."
Former Otago inside back Callum Bruce is set to be named by Waikato, and Hanks said Bruce had matured at Waikato and was now one of the leaders of the side.
