When Jamie Joseph arrived back in Dunedin, he admits it was a welcome - in terms of rugby - he did not expect.
The halcyon days when he last wore a rugby jersey in the South were long gone.
But now it is his job, starting tonight against the Hurricanes, to help restore some of that lost pride.
"Here, when I arrived, and I do not know the reason why - I think it is because the results have not been forthcoming in the previous five years - but sadly in many ways a lot of guys do not care any more," he said.
"I think a lot of people were very apathetic. While there are all those people who are wishing ourselves well, there are a lot of people who I thought would still be rugby followers who aren't, and that is a sad thing."
Still, Joseph senses his team can win back the support, and though the easiest way to do that would be to win games, he is also a realist.
"We're coming from a team that last year came 12th, so going out there and saying we are going to win every game of rugby would not be accurate."
The Highlanders have certainly struggled in recent years, winning just nine games in the past three seasons, and losing too many games right at the death.
The reasons for that could be the subject of endless debate but Joseph says there are three things he wants his side to do this season.
"It is about winning, going out there and winning a game of football, gaining a bit of respect as a football team, and improving on last year.
"First thing is, we are obviously trying to win in a competition that is [very] difficult, so we have also got to keep in mind to get some respect, and to be able to do that we have to play well.
"That is why I am very mindful and careful about saying it is all about winning. We want to get better, get some respect, and we can't just rely on winning a game to get that."
Joseph has had, basically, to build a side. He has not been able to call on home-grown talent as Otago goes through a lean patch.
So he has had to draw players in from all parts of the country - 26 of the 32-man squad are from outside Dunedin.
He has attempted to bed-in a culture of accountability and a Highlanders identity, and feels the players have come together well.
But the game is played on the paddock and the Highlanders are not packed with All Black talent.
Their task got doubly difficult when their star recruit, first five-eighth Colin Slade, went down with a broken jaw, swiftly followed by All Black lock Tom Donnelly injuring his shoulder.
"Injuries are not ideal but every team could use that as an excuse. It is just life. We have got 32 players in the squad. We're not as experienced as most other teams but that is our lot."
Joseph has, in essence, come from one extreme to the other as far as coaching is concerned. In Wellington he had an endless supply of talent but here, the talent pot is not overflowing.
"My expectations, from since I arrived in Dunedin, is that everyone hopes we go well. And I think it is a different reflection than when I coached in Wellington, where we had a star-studded team on paper and were expected to win.
"That same expectation is not here .... While I do not feel a great deal of expectation there is a great deal of hope.
"Wherever I have gone people have just been wishing us well. The boys are feeling that as well. I'm reminding them about that. There is a responsibility to play well but there is no responsibility to actually promise to win games.
"If we play with everything we've got, every time we play, then that would be the first step forward. I believe if we play like that every week then that will get success."
HIGHLANDERS v HURRICANES
• Venue: Westpac Stadium
• Time: 7.35pm, tonight
• Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
• TAB odds: Hurricanes $1.22, H'landers $4.
PREVIOUS MATCHES
• 2010: Dunedin: 33-31 Hurricanes
• 2009: Wellington: 22-17 Hurricanes
• 2008: Dunedin: 10-6 Hurricanes
• 2007: Wellington: 22-21 Hurricanes
• 2006: Dunedin: 29-13 Hurricanes
Highlanders:
Ben Smith, James Paterson, Kendrick Lynn, Shaun Treeby, Kade Poki, Lima Sopoaga, Jimmy Cowan, Nasi Manu, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Josh Bekhuis, Jarrad Hoeata, David Te Moana, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh.
Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Bronson Murray, Joe Tuineau, John Hardie, Aaron Smith, Robbie Robinson, Siale Piutau.
Hurricanes:
Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Aaron Cruden, Tyson Keats, Victor Vito, Jack Lam, Mark Reddish, Jason Eaton, James Broadhurst, Michael Bent, Andrew Hore, John Schwalger.
Reserves: Dane Coles, Neemia Tialata, Faifili Levave, Serge Lilo, Chris Eaton, Daniel Kirkpatrick , Andre Taylor.
