They chalked up a win against the Hurricanes last week. They are doing the basics well and not making too many glaring errors. They have won four of the past five games against the Blues.
Most importantly, the Highlanders have some wins on the board, and sit comfortably in mid table.
So why is it that this game against the Blues appears to be a tough proposition?
Is it the fact Eden Park has never been a great venue for the Highlanders? Or that the Blues get so much profile they must live up to the hype sooner or later and deliver a break-out performance?
Throw in the return of big names Ma'a Nonu and Jerome Kaino, the galvanisation of the side with Piri Weepu's sickness, and it appears to be a very steep mountain to climb for the Highlanders.
Let's not even start mentioning referee Steve Walsh.
So, the cards may seem stacked against the visiting team but the game is far from a done deal.
It is going to be a tough match to win tonight. The Blues have too much talent to not front up, but if the Highlanders are going to do anything this season then games like this need to be won.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph recognised the potential in the Blues side, and said the Highlanders simply had to play to their best.
''We are going up against a stacked Blues team. I think the public have been waiting for this team to perform all year. Just with the names they have, and to have the likes of Kaino and Nonu coming back into their team to galvanise them,'' he said.
''If we play together and play as a group like in the games we have performed well in this year, we'll have a show. I think we have recognised we are stronger in numbers, and if we can stick to that plan we should go all right.
''Our mindset is that to be successful against quality opposition we have to make sure we squeeze every drop out of every player, and we play collectively and cohesively as a group.''
The Highlanders obviously do not have as much star power as their opposition, but do not write them off.
Often these games come down to who makes the fewest mistakes. The Blues may have plenty of stars but many of those same players can also put together an average effort and produce a clanger or two.
One thing the Highlanders need to do is put the foot on the throat for the whole 80 minutes. Last week, after being up by 20 points, the side nearly got run down.
Joseph said plenty had been talked about that near capitulation last week.
''There was some stern words earlier in the week about the last 25 minutes we played against the Hurricanes. I thought we played really good football for the first 60 minutes. Then it was disappointing, really, in the way we then went to pieces.
''Those stern words have been taken on board and the team has trained really effectively this week.''
The Highlanders have a couple of solid veterans up front in Ged Robinson and Chris King, with Liam Coltman likely to get some significant playing time off the bench.
Though one does not want to harp on about it, Walsh will be a factor in this match. There is simply too much history for him not to be.
The referees have been in the spotlight this week and one wonders how appointing Walsh to a fixture like this can reduce their time in the spotlight.
Fine weather is forecast for Auckland tonight.
