Squad members put their feet up last week, with their bye arriving in the middle of the competition after the side beat the Bulls 36-12 in Palmerston North.
But any cobwebs which may have developed were well and truly blown away yesterday in a physical training session at Logan Park.
The side will travel to Invercargill at the weekend to take on the Reds - who are coming off a 30-point hiding from the Force in Perth.
Coach Glenn Moore said he was impressed with the enthusiasm and intensity in the squad yesterday.
"We realise and the guys realise we are really in this competition and we have a great chance to do something special."
"We have a little bit of momentum and we want to keep that going.
"There are a few guys and the team as a whole, playing particularly well at the moment.
"We've got a group of 28 players here who can actually play."
Moore said the bye had come at a good stage to rest a few bodies and the side was fully switched on to face a dangerous Reds side.
Moore said to have an injury-free side was a real bonus, and paid credit to the support staff for getting the entire squad on the paddock.
The Reds have conceded 89 points in their last two games, but Moore said they could not be taken lightly.
"Just three weeks ago they beat the Sharks.
"In this competition anyone can beat anyone, so you have to be on your game."
The Highlanders have six matches left and sit seventh in the table.
They are just five points out of fourth and four of the sides above them have yet to have the bye.
Of the six matches left to play for the Highlanders all but one - the Sharks in Durban - are against sides which sit below them in the table.
But Moore was not targeting individual games.
"Nothing has changed. I want to win the whole thing.
"Leading into the Crusaders game, there was a real lift in intensity, a real lift in professionalism and that has continued.
"But someone said to me the other day two sunny days don't make a summer.
"So we need to keep up our performances."
Halfback and captain Jimmy Cowan, who suffered ligament damage to an ankle before the Bulls match, should be available for Saturday's match.
Moore and his coaching staff did not have the week off, watching tapes of games of the Reds and their own side.
The side will travel to Invercargill on Friday, with the match kicking off at Rugby Park Stadium at 5.30pm on Saturday.
