But then Southern do not reveal much until they have to.
The Magpies have sneaked up on everyone to win the past two Dunedin premier club titles.
They have not played their best rugby early on, not even close.
But the secret is to hit form when it counts and they have certainly managed that.
Leslie highlighted that point.
"We’ve got a strong squad," he said.
"But it is early season so we are just starting to get the foundations of our game together and it will take us a few weeks before we lay that down and then we’ll put our detail on top of that.
"It is just part of the plan to pull your team together at the crunch end of the season.
"It is all about qualifying for the finals and that is how we go about that by giving the entire squad an opportunity to be match-fit and get a good game understanding, so we’re peaking at the right time of the season.
"If we’ve done our preparation correctly, that is time for the players to really shine."
Southern beat Dunedin 30-20 in the final last season to claim back-to-back titles.
But, like all teams, the Magpies have had some losses in the offseason.
Fullback Josh Buchan broke a leg last year and is unavailable, and Ben McCarthy has moved down south in hope of cracking the Stags.
But former Alhambra-Union and North Otago playmaker Levi Emery has joined the Magpies and he will bring some class.
Promising lock Archie Treadwell has come across from the Dunedin colts, and Caleb Hughes has made the move from Taieri and is keen to make an impact at loosehead.
Mafi’s departure is a blow. He has been a soldier for the club. But he is in the twilight of his career and Leslie is comfortable they have "got that position well and truly covered".
Konrad Toleafoa, Harry Taylor, Tom Brock, Jordan Dwight and Ned Pene will all compete for starting spots in the loose.
Last year, Southern were concerned about their depth, particularly in the backs.
Not so this season, when the Magpies will seek to become the first club since University (1999-2001) to win three consecutive banners.
"Our depth is probably better than it has been in the last couple of years, so we are delighted about that because we know adversity will come our way in terms of injuries.
Southern will host Alhambra-Union in their opener at Bathgate Park tonight.
The Broncos struggled last season. They gave up 150 points in their first two games of the season and went winless.
Dunedin will host Green Island in what shapes as the game of the round, Taieri are at home to University, and Zingari-Richmond will make the trip to Watson Park to play Harbour.
- A bunch of Highlanders, both contracted players and wider squad members, will appear in club rugby this evening.
Among the expected starters are University forwards Ricky Jackson and Will Stodart, University winger Martin Bogado, Kaikorai forwards Hayden Michaels and Will Tucker, Southern lock Pari Pari Parkinson, Taieri first five Cam Millar, and young Green Island backs Finn Hurley and Jake Te Hiwi.
