New coach Jamie Joseph put his squad through its paces at both Logan Park and the Edgar Centre and said the side is starting to become injury-free, which was promising for the start of the season.
A few players had only limited training time before Christmas because of injuries picked up from the 2010 season.
"Injuries are all part of the game and at the end of the ITM Cup last year there were a lot of guys who were pretty banged up," Joseph said.
"That takes some time to recover but they are now starting to come good and getting back on to the training paddock."
Southland centre Kendrick Lynn, who had groin surgery halfway through the provincial season last year, is now back training with the group.
Pleasing to also see was first five-eighth Colin Slade running freely yesterday, ridding himself of a shoulder niggle which had troubled him before Christmas.
The biggest injury concern was with fullback Kurt Baker, who was battling a back injury.
It may have only been 10 days into the new year but the side has a game in less than three weeks, taking on the Blues in Balclutha on January 29.
It starts the competition proper on February 18.
The next couple of weeks will not be totally about fitness, as the side diverts attention to what is happening on the paddock.
"There will be a bit more rugby now but it is not about winning the pre season.
"It's about playing some good strong rugby throughout the season so it is about applying and building a game over the next six weeks," Joseph said.
He did not test the players to see if they had over-indulged over the Christmas break as they were committed and keen to turn up in good condition.
Training would continue daily over the next few weeks, and the side was off for a few days in Wanaka next week, training and meeting the Central Otago community.
All Blacks Tom Donnelly and Jimmy Cowan had come into camp yesterday and will join the squad fulltime later in the month.
But Joseph said he was careful of managing the workload for the two All Blacks.
"These guys are key players and are a big presence in the team and they contribute a lot.
"But I'm mindful they have a big year ahead and will need to be managed."
One of the biggest issues facing Joseph was moulding the team, with plenty of newcomers and more than 75% of the team coming from outside Dunedin.
But he said the attitude from the players was great, and they were enjoying each other's company.
"So far it has been really, really good.
The guys, about 15, 16 of them all went out to dinner on Sunday night, through no orders of management.
"So that's a good sign."
