The Highlanders will play four Australian sides in a row over the next four weeks, starting tonight against the Waratahs in Sydney.
Then come the Rebels, Force and then Reds.
Playing the Australian teams is always a bit of a mixed bag.
Sometimes the sides turn up with plenty of vigour and fire and other times - especially when it is cold - the skill set is decidedly average and the towel is thrown in early.
Coach Jamie Joseph said the Australians teams all played slightly differently but he was wary of a Waratahs team looking to exact revenge for last year's semifinal win by the Highlanders in Sydney.
"That is going to be a huge motivation for them. The last three times we have played them, we have come out on top of the ledger,'' he said.
"They are a big pack and we know that, but under a new coach, they have made a few changes to the way they play the game. They are looking to kick the ball a bit more and play field position.
"They do possess a lot of X-factor in their positions. Guys like [Kurtley] Beale, [Israel] Folau, [Rob] Horne, so they have to be shut down. They're got a lot of experience, 560-odd caps while you look at us, we've got a couple of All Blacks.''
But Joseph knows names on paper are exactly that and games are played on grass, not on the team sheets.
The Highlanders have gone up against well-regarded sides before and come out on top.
The Waratahs will play direct - they always do - and it is up to the Highlanders to stay strong and lower them.
Not having an in-form Dan Pryor or tricky Fijian wingers Patrick Osborne and Waisake Naholo is obviously going to be a hindrance for the Highlanders.
Joseph said not having some key players was tough but he had full confidence in the replacements.
"It is unfortunate for us we have lost four or five guys from one game from last week. But it just gives someone else a chance. Ryan Tongia gets his chance and he has played for the development team.
"We are down on numbers but that is why you have such a large squad.''
Joseph said none of the injured players was expected to be out for long.
He said Osborne could walk all right but was still sore in his hip.
Osborne will be keen to get back on the field. With Nehe Milner-Skudder gone for the year, a vacancy arises in the All Blacks and Osborne, who has trained with the national squad before, may fancy his chances.
Tongia will need to improve his defence, as the Waratahs are certain to attack down both flanks.
The Waratahs have played only two games so far, for a comfortable win over the Reds and a loss to the in-form Brumbies.
They had a bye last week but from all reports got through plenty of training and are more than ready for the Highlanders.
The Highlanders need to take every chance that comes along, move the big Waratahs pack around and keep the likes of Beale and Folau on a tight leash.
Folau had talked about getting into the line and playing as a centre and the more he touches the ball, the better for the home side.
The weather is expected to be humid and up to 30degC in Sydney tonight.
The Highlanders will stay in Sydney until next Friday, when they will head to Melbourne to play the Rebels on March 26.
Highlanders v Waratahs
Tonight, Sydney, 9.40pm
Highlanders: Ben Smith (co-captain), Matt Faddes, Malakai Fekitoa, Rob Thompson, Ryan Tongia, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Liam Squire, Shane Christie (co-captain), Elliot Dixon, Tom Franklin, Alex Ainley, Siosiua Halanukonuka, Liam Coltman, Brendon Edmonds.
Reserves: Ash Dixon, Daniel Leinert-Brown, Ross Geldenhuys, Mark Reddish, Gareth Evans, Josh Renton, Hayden Parker, Jason Emery.
Waratahs: Israel Folau, Matt Carraro, Rob Horne, David Horwitz, Zac Guildford, Kurtley Beale, Nick Phipps, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper (captain), David Dennis, Will Skelton, Dean Mumm, Angus Ta'avao, Tolu Latu, Paddy Ryan.
Reserves: Hugh Roach, Jeremy Tilse, Tom Robertson, Sam Lousi, Jed Holloway, Jack Dempsey, Matt Lucas, Reece Robinson
