Sure, it has not been much fun being on the losing side eight times in a row, but the Southland flanker is already doing better than last season.
Hardie started last year in fine form, making breaks and winning turnovers as part of a potent Highlanders loose forward trio.
But it all came crashing down when he broke his big toe, ending his season after just three games.
After a false comeback in the ITM Cup, he endured a long rehabilitation before getting back on the field this season.
''I have been reasonably happy with my form but there are always little things to work on. But really, I am happy to be able to be on the field. The body is feeling really good,'' he said.
''The toe has been no problems at all. The first couple of weeks I was probably aware of it but that was more of a mental thing, really.''
Hardie (24) has started every game for the Highlanders this season, so he had plenty of reason to celebrate when the side scored its first victory of the year last Saturday, against the Sharks.
''It was great to get the win. The team spirit among the guys has always been really good but nothing beats winning. We had been trying hard and it has been tough losing a few of the games in the last moments or just doing a few little things wrong.
''But that win really lifted the pressure off a lot of people's shoulders.''
Hardie said the Highlanders could not really afford to read much into the Kings' heavy defeat by the Waratahs last week, when the Eastern Cape side was smashed 72-10.
They were sure to come out firing, he said, and would want to get the home crowd back on side.
Hardie will have the tough job of marking the talented Luke Watson, who missed the mauling by the Waratahs.
The Highlanders have made just one change to their team which beat the Sharks last week. Winger Tino Nemani, who joined the squad only 10 days ago, comes on to the right wing to replace Phil Burleigh, who did not make the trip to South Africa because of an injured shoulder.
Nemani was an up-and-comer a couple of years ago and was tagged the next big thing when he signed for the Chiefs late in 2011. But he rather lost his way and could only make the Chiefs wider training squad this season, before being picked up by the Highlanders.
No 8 Mose Tuiali'i comes on to the bench for the Highlanders.
The Highlanders will be keen to make sure they back up their first win of the season, as a loss will derail any momentum gained last week.
They played a relatively simple game against the Sharks, just stripping it back to the basics, and will look to continue that against the Kings.
Being smashed by 70 points means the Kings will have to be low on confidence.
The side, which is coached by New Zealander Matt Sexton, was always going to struggle in its first year, and has won just two games.
It has plenty of endeavour, but a lack of line speed in both attack and defence has been exposed by the top sides.
The Highlanders need to start well, and knock the Kings down early. A victory for the side will get it off the bottom of the table.
The match will be refereed by South African Jason Jaftha, who is just 28, and in his first year at this level.
