How do out-of-form players go to in-form players by simply wearing a different-coloured jersey?
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph must be seeking answers to that question as his team relaunches its Super 15 campaign against the Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.
The likes of Aaron Smith and Ma'a Nonu have been less than brilliant for the Highlanders this season but looked much better while playing for the All Blacks this month.
Joseph said sometimes the form reversal can come down to a change of scene.
''This team has not been successful and you get guys who are mentally being challenged. Then they get in a different environment and sometimes that is all that is needed,'' Joseph said.
''They clearly have not forgotten how to play football and they played to the standards they have in the past. Hopefully, they can bring that form back to the Highlanders.''
He said players in the All Blacks sometimes simply played better as they were surrounded by better players.
Joseph has put Aaron Smith and Nonu on the bench and will hope they come on and make an impact.
The Highlanders have nothing to lose in this game, while the Crusaders, sitting a precarious sixth in the playoffs, have plenty to play for.
They can ill afford a loss. The last time the Crusaders missed the playoffs was when Helen Clark was in her first term in government.
But lose tonight and a playoff position is in serious doubt.
The Highlanders, on the other hand, are playing simply for pride, with some players looking to play for next season.
Joseph admits the emphasis tonight will be on attack.
If the Highlanders go down, the guns will be blazing.
''We can go out there and throw it around and have a crack. I wouldn't say it was loose. That would not be an accurate term. It would be a tendency to be more attacking than defensive. But you know if you try and do too much under your own sticks they are going to make you pay. So balance will be the key.''
Last time the teams met it was a wet, cold night in Christchurch. The Crusaders were in control throughout and came away with a 24-8 victory.
This match though will be under a roof and should be much more open.
''They are a quality team. One hallmark of the Crusaders is when they get themselves backed into the corner they can be pretty good. But that is the challenge the team has to come up against.
''They have been playing together for the last two or three weeks with the All Blacks and now they get the chance to put the boxing gloves on and have a go at each other.''
Neither side will go into the game with any momentum thanks to a three-week break.
But the Highlanders do have the comfort of knowing they won the last time they took the paddock at Forsyth Barr Stadium, beating the Blues 38-28.
It is a massive game for Elliot Dixon, who has to become an openside flanker with John Hardie out injured.
Dixon has question marks over his defence and gets lost at times. Joseph has shown some faith in the young man, and this could be a career-defining match for the young loose forward.
The Crusaders have four All Black forwards on their bench and, depending on the state of the game, they may all see action sooner rather than later.
With 17,000 tickets sold, the Highlanders have opened up the western stand at the stadium, bringing the capacity to 22,600. The Zoo will not be running but the stand will be open to offer more seats.
Eight Highlanders have been released to play club rugby today. They are Tony Ensor (Kaikorai), Joe Wheeler (Alhambra-Union), Tim Boys (Harbour), Trent Renata, Hugh Blake (Dunedin), Hayden Parker (Taieri), Brayden Mitchell, Buxton Popoali'i (Green Island) It was a rusty performance, but the Chiefs did enough to beat the Hurricanes 34-22 in an entertaining match at Waikato Stadium last night.
It was a match which featured seven tries, but plenty more excitement. Beauden Barrett's match-up against Aaron Cruden was a cracker, the Hurricanes man probably shading it, and the battle between halfbacks TJ Perenara and Tawera Kerr-Barlow was another highlight. Perenara's departure with an ankle injury in the second half was a blow to the visitors, APNZ reported.
When the dust settled it was the Chiefs who had claimed five competition points - Ben Tameifuna's late try amidst a mass of bodies giving them a bonus. The bald facts are they have overtaken the Brumbies to sit atop the competition ladder and are guaranteed a home qualifier place at least. They will improve on this performance, though, and their next match at Waikato Stadium is not likely to be until the end of July when they host a semifinal.
Chiefs 34 (Matt Vant Leven, Bundee Aki, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Ben Tameifuna tries; Aaron Cruden 4 cons, 2 pens) bt Hurricanes 22 (TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Alapati Leiua tries; Barrett 2 cons, pen). HT: 17-15.
