Highlanders assistant coach Scott McLeod says this pre-season has been different from others but he is confident the side is fit and ready to go for Friday night's opener.
The team will host the Chiefs at Forysth Barr Stadium and McLeod said it was coming together well despite the whole team only assembling in the last couple of weeks.
``It was a different challenge for us in December. We had 17 guys out and 17 new guys in with four boys from school, which was really different for us. We have had not had that in the past. We got through that well; the boys put in a great effort,'' he said.
``Lately it has been about integrating our All Blacks back in. It was a large number again and getting them up to play.
``They are getting there. They are available [to play]. For some of them we just don't think we can play them all at once. So we just have to work out how to manage that and integrate that.''
``Everybody in December - their attitude was outstanding. In terms of our new boys that have come in really well.''
McLeod said one player to stand out was North Harbour winger Tevita Li, who played well in the team's 50-47 win over the Waratahs last Thursday night in Sydney.
`` His work rate and energy was really impressive.''
So is he going to be the next big thing for the Highlanders, following in the steps of Malakai Fekitoa and Waisake Naholo?
McLeod said that was possible.
``We've shown that in the last four years there has always been someone do that. They come down here and enjoy our environment and there is more opportunity for them to play.''
McLeod is no longer coaching under Jamie Joseph - Tony Brown is now the man in charge.
``The coaching styles are different. That is not a good or a bad thing. We just have to find ways to be effective with that. Maybe more of us have to step up to do the things that maybe Jamie would have done in the past. And that is a good thing as well.''
New forwards coach Mark Hammett was showing his worth.
``There is a lot of big picture thinking from him and also a lot of details to our forwards.''
McLeod is the defence coach and, with the Highlanders conceding near-on 100 points in their two warm-up games, he may have a big job ahead.
He said in pre-season games teams changed markedly and it was about defending with intensity over the 80 minutes.
He was confident the side would bring that intensity to the game on Friday night.
The match on Friday night will be refereed by Mike Fraser.
