Latta said the Otago side had come nowhere near playing its best for 80 minutes but believed it could be the most dangerous side in the competition.
Otago plays Northland at Carisbrook tomorrow chasing its third win in a row.
The side hardly looked like a millon dollars in beating Tasman 13-11 in an ugly game last week but Latta said the win was the most important thing.
"Everyone said it was ugly but there have been plenty of ugly games in the competition this year. The important thing was we got the four points. A lot of it was where we put ourselves under pressure rather than them putting us under pressure," Latta said.
"We've done a fair bit of catch and pass this week and then just worked on things which need to be worked on and identified areas where we've got to be better."
One of those was starting well against a Northland side which carries some strike weapons in the likes of Rene Ranger and Jared Payne.
Otago has made three changes to its side from last week.
Hooker Wyatt McKay makes his Otago run-on debut in place of the injured Liam Coltman, while lock Josh Townsend will also make his first start in place of Hoani Matenga, who is having a rest.
Halfback Sean Romans, in the reserves last week, swaps places with Johnny Legg.
Latta said Northland had some dangerous players but Otago did not need to be obsessed about them.
"Really it comes back to us and what we do. I've said to the guys we can be the most dangerous team in this competition. But we've come nowhere near it [playing their best]. In parts of games we've played well. But we have not played the type of rugby we are capable of playing."
Latta said playing well came down to preparation right throughout the week.
"You can't just expect to turn up on the day and perform to your best. It's about preparing well, ticking all the boxes and doing all those wee one-percenters that help your side win."
Latta took his hat off to the way Southland beat Waikato on Thursday night, and the way that side was travelling.
"People are saying defence is winning games and certainly it is. But when you look at the attack and the ability to finish off, then that is what is lacking. There is probably the lack of opportunities to finish. With us, it is like we are afraid to finish off."
Latta, in his first year as assistant coach, said the role was one he was loving and he was learning lots off Otago coach Phil Mooney.
"There is a hell of a lot more to it than I expected. It honestly feels like I'm doing another apprenticeship."
He praised Mooney for all the help he had given him and said the professional environment was quite different from coaching an amateur side.
There was more work, the players were busy right throughout the week, and there was much more analysis.
He travelled from his Balclutha home most days, but said travel did not concern him. In fact the hour in the truck gave him some time to think about the game.
Northland has been a fine attacking unit this season so Otago cannot afford the sloppy errors which have plagued it all season.
No 8 Adam Thomson will play his 50th game for the province, so the team should not struggle for motivation.
OTAGO v NORTHLAND
Carisbrook, tomorrow, 2.35pm
• Referee: Jonathon White (Auckland)
• TAB odds: Otago $2.35, Northland $1.55
• Otago: Ben Smith, Joe Hill, Josh Tatupu, Andrew Parata, Ryan Shortland, Glenn Dickson, Sean Romans, Adam Thomson, Alando Soakai (captain), Brad Cameron, Hayden Triggs, Josh Townsend, Halani Aulika, Wyatt McKay, Kees Meeuws.
Reserves: Peter Mirrielees, Sam Hibbard, Hoani Matenga, Charlie O'Connell, Johnny Legg, Hayden Parker, Chris Small.
• Northland: Jared Payne (captain), Mateo Malupo, Rene Ranger, Aden Dewes, Lachie Munro, David Holwell, Rhyan Caine, Cam Eyre, Dan Pryor, Dean Budd, Mark Burman, Pat O'Connor, Matt Wallis, Tim Dow, Bronson Murray.
Reserves: Mikaele Tuu'u, Ross Wright, Roy Griffin, Cam Goodhue, Luke Hamilton, Adam Clarke, Iwi Hauraki.
