Assistant coach Cory Jane said it was tough in the camp after their loss to Moana Pasifika, but everyone kept working to find ways to get better. They got home against the Highlanders and had their outstanding win over the Waratahs last week.
"You can see the belief and trust that's in these men; they want to get better and when you get that it is cool."
With their next two games against the Blues and Crusaders, it was essential to stay focused.
"The Blues [game] is important because the competition is so tight, and if we can win, you get further away from them.
"If they win, then it tightens it back up. So the Blues are a priority. They're a team trying to find their game and we've got to be one otherwise, they might find it against us."
After their success last year, most teams prepared to cope with their physical approach, but they have been attempting to play more with their shape, and they had found that a challenge because teams had worked on that while they had also suffered injuries.
"The style they played last year everyone was ready for, and now they're trying to figure out what they need to do from here.
"Do they go back to really physical or do they play off a little more shape and width? Once they figure it out, they'll be dangerous."
Midfield back Bailyn Sullivan said the Waratahs win was a confidence boost, but they had been digging deep into the mistakes they had been making, and that resulted in creating more opportunities than earlier.
He has been thriving on the chance for consistent play at centre in Billy Proctor's injury-forced absence, and he was happy with where he is physically and mentally.
Looking at the Blues, he said, trusting that what worked for them last year hasn't happened this season, but they are still a danger.
"You can never count them out. They can turn on a dime and they can get one over the top of you and that's what we're going to try to figure out. We can't let them get on top of us like they did in our previous game."
Sullivan said the defensive effort against the Waratahs was satisfying, but the challenge was to keep doing that each week.
"It comes down to the attitude and the want that we want as a team. With that confidence going into it, it's a big booster for us. Hopefully, it carries on for the rest of the season."