The Highlanders side is in the middle of its three-week break, as the Super 15 goes into hiatus for the June internationals.
The team had the first week off and players went home, but over the past 10 days the side has been training and working hard to prepare for the final part of the season.
The Highlanders take on the Chiefs on June 29, at Forsyth Barr Stadium, and the Reds, in Brisbane on July 6.
In the final round the side has a bye, where it will receive an automatic four points.
It sits eighth, just one point out of the playoff picture.
Joseph said many of his players fronted up for the North-South game and then got back into some training last week.
Training this week was about getting moves fine-tuned so when the All Blacks come in early next week, everything should be able to run easily.
The side had been helped by former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry over the past couple of days and Joseph said it was always good to hear his ideas.
Every side was in the same boat with the break, but Joseph admitted it was unusual to not be playing games near the end of the season.
"Basically, we have been given a four-week break in the middle of the season and it is difficult for guys. They just want to get on and play the games," Joseph said.
"The guys have two games to play and have a really good opportunity to make the playoffs. There is a real hunger there to get out and play."
He said in reality there was just one playoff spot available and teams such as the Reds, Hurricanes and Sharks were in the equation, along with the Highlanders.
Though the Highlanders had a hard draw home, so did every other side fighting for a playoff spot, Joseph said.
The side did not have any major injury worries. The Highlanders in the All Blacks are due to be back in Dunedin by next Monday.
He had been impressed by the play of the likes of Aaron Smith, Andrew Hore and Adam Thomson, who had all seen significant time in the black jersey against Ireland.
He said though Hosea Gear and Tamati Ellison had not had any game time, they had played every game for the Highlanders so could rest their bodies.
They would be getting top-quality training and medical care which should help them when they come back to the Highlanders.
English loose forward James Haskell has not featured in the tests against South Africa so far and was due back in Dunedin on Monday.
