Be prepared for an all-out effort by the Highlanders when they take on their southern rivals the Crusaders in Super Rugby Aotearoa on Sunday.
The younger Highlanders side have been close without gaining the rewards that would have had them in contention this year but they have always appreciated the chance to play their neighbours.
Assistant coach Clarke Dermody said they had been disappointed with their loss to the Blues, especially with a trophy on the line for the game. But issues had been well-addressed with the team's review.
The Blues had bullied the Highlanders up front and had made use of the Highlanders' intensity not being where it needed to be at the start of the game.
"By the time we had the chance to get back in the game late on it was just too far to go," he said.
Dermody said coming off the bye was something all teams discussed about what worked best for them; whether they went harder in training at the start of the week or built up during the week.
The Highlanders had some momentum from their win over the Chiefs before their bye but it had been hard to pinpoint whether the side was set to start well or not.
"We can't start slow against the Crusaders, obviously, they're the best team in the competition. There is only one way to rectify it and that is to front up," he said.
The Crusaders also had a complete side which was polished and that enabled them to exploit opponents all over the field.
"Outside of the start, we know we've got to compete for 80 minutes. It is not an easy place to go and win so that is the recipe, 80 minutes of committed rugby," he said.
Searching for the complete 80-minute effort was still the goal for the Highlanders. Since the shutdown for Covid-19 they had improved but they hadn't managed to achieve it yet.
"We acknowledge that between the 50-70 minutes the Crusaders are pretty strong, that's where they put teams away."
Dermody said he was pleased with the progress the side's tight five has developed over six months, especially the way younger players have stepped up.
"They've got a long way to go, they know that, but the best thing is they are hungry to do it, and each week they are trying to get better," he said.
The scrum would face another test this week as the Crusaders had the best scrum in the competition and the Highlanders knew what to expect.
Back at first five-eighths Josh Ioane said it had been a tough game, the Blues were big men and the Highlanders had not performed as well as they would have liked.
Not having been able to quell the physical play of the Blues across the park, they would be looking to match the Crusaders in that area.
"It was good to be back at 10 [first five-eighths], I enjoyed barking the boys around the field and having Mitch [Hunt – fullback] out there as another voice and another 10," he said.
Having his first start after being out with injury it had been a tough return and he admitted that like most players in the competition he was still feeling the effects in his body on Wednesday after the game.
But it was a case of working all the small things, ticking boxes and preparing well for the Crusaders' challenge.
One of the benefits Ioane felt from starting the campaign at second five-eighths was a greater awareness of what was required for both five-eighths. He was now more aware how much the first five-eighths needed a contribution from the man outside him.
"Coming back into 10 I've really asked a lot from our 12 especially around communication and just helping our drivers around the paddock," he said.
The 2019 All Black said he was looking forward to the contest with Richie Mo'unga, the Test incumbent in the role.