It might be too early to say but could the Highlanders be on a roll?
After three games in the Super Rugby Pacific competition, the southerners are keeping up, rather than being beaten up. They've bagged two wins from three games, their best start in five years.
It's believed new standards are paying off and giving the side some extra intent as they get set to face a Wallabies-stacked Brumbies side.
"We want to live at a high standard," said Highlanders captain Billy Harmon. "We want to be the best in the comp so that's where we see our standards."
Harmon then added a tongue in check comment, "if you're not there, then you’ll know about it."
The public knew all about it last week when Harmon and Sean Withy were stood down for being late to a team meeting. It's all part of the team's new standards which is understood to be enforced by head of rugby Jamie Joseph.
Harmon believes Joseph's impact has made a positive impact on the entire group.
"He’s been massive but he's not in front of the team too much, his role is more helping the coaches set up their week and how they're going to go about things. What he does is just challenge the coaches to get more from the players."
The Highlanders have had some extra eyes on them this week with some of the new All Blacks coaching group, Leon MacDonald, Jason Holland and Jason Ryan in Dunedin.
"Any time the All Blacks coaches come in there's a lift in intensity," said coach Clarke Dermody. "The boys have a bit more purpose about what they're doing."
But as the Highlanders look to carry on their momentum, they credit their strong start to their preseason. Unlike some Super Rugby teams, they didn't go overseas. Instead they toured the Otago region and connected with their community.
"Who needs international travel when you can spend a week in Alexandra, but we've just got some awesome coaches who are really clear on how we want to play," said Harmon.
Dermody said last season they had a slow start so made sure it was something they focused on this year.
"It's the benefit of not having a team of All Blacks. We had our squad training together for three months so we managed to start the season in a good spot around our fitness and we've changed things with how we train."
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