But it will have to do without midfield back Tei Walden for this week, while winger Tevita Nabura will not be sighted until the end of next month at the earliest.
The Highlanders are set to take on the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday night and will leave for the Australian capital tomorrow.
Hammett said there were some encouraging signs from the opening 42-20 loss to the Sharks but the side had plenty of work to do.
‘‘We overplayed at times and some of our detail, just around the breakdown, was off. Some of that was individual and some of it was urgency to get back to a pretty good kicking game,’’ he said.
‘‘We move on from the lessons learnt. Now we move on to a team: I wouldn’t say totally similar but very forward-orientated and a very good kicking game and once again a very good defensive line.
‘‘So there are similarities but some real danger in the backs.’’
The Sharks used the high ball to their advantage and he expected the Brumbies to continue with this tactic.
‘‘The kicking game is not a negative thing but you have to claim that ball. We did not necessarily claim it from their kicks but kick-offs as well. That is where we have got to be better. Add protection to the guys who are taking it. But it is some of the best ball to attack with. That is something we have to manage and support them.’’
Hammett said the new players had performed well. There were plenty of nerves, but that had to be expected. The intensity from the side improved in the second half.
‘‘The amount of times, though, we hit holes and if they had stuck, then they would have been tries.’’
Hammett confirmed Walden, a midfield back, was not available as he recovers from sore ribs.
Prop Jeff Thwaites and midfield back Ngane Punivai were also not far away from coming back but were not available this week.
Winger Tevita Nabura had a small lower-back operation just before Christmas and is expected back at the end of March. Otago centre Aleki Morris-Lome is training with the side. Nabura missed all of last season because of a knee injury.
The Highlanders had real problems winning away from home last year and Hammett said the coaching staff had worked hard with them about really good preparation throughout the week and clarity about what to do in the final day or two.
‘‘A lot of new players — you don’t know what you don’t know, so they need a bit of help around that. And some of the leaders are good with that and really lead the way. We just don’t expect our young guys to know what a really nailed competition week looks like. Just around the planning, the routine, their recovery. That is learnt. You just don’t turn up and know it.’’