Highlanders assistant coach Dave Dillon said southern inspiration, playing at Forsyth Barr Stadium in their first home game in front of friends and family would boost the side.
The defending champions, and their size, would provide a stern defensive test but Dillon was confident in the Highlanders' preparation for the season.
"We're conditioned to be able to withstand that. We know the way they play. We've got to get in front of them and make our shots."
They had learned lessons from the opening-round loss, but the foundation of their game was evident.
The loss was disappointing because the side had done enough to win.
"You look at how many times the lead changed too. We had some adversity with two yellow cards, and then to go ahead in the last seven minutes and let it slip away.
"You're only human, but you've got to keep your mind on the game. But it was a roller coaster.
"It was just two or three errors within the game, the yellow cards and a couple of decision-making chances. At this level, that can cost you, and it did.
"It was a really quick game. The thing that caught a number of people out was the 60 seconds from the try being scored to the conversion.
"You've got to be organised as a group about getting your players back and getting ready for the next episode of the game."
Fitness levels were also tested with the high number of tackles made across all teams in the competition and the Highlanders made 173.
"That's a testament to the fitness levels of the group and their mindset and intent around the defensive side of the game.
"Ideally, you probably wouldn't want to be making that many tackles. But, it's the nature of the game. You're talking about a faster game and the ball being in play longer."