Expect Jordie Barrett to hit the ground running when Super Rugby Aotearoa kicks off next month.
The All Blacks utility back was in peak form for the Hurricanes before the COVID-19 pandemic brought the season to a halt in March.
Barrett sparked a last-quarter comeback against the Chiefs on March 13, culminating in an injury-time penalty goal to seal a stunning 27-24 win.
Last year, the 23-year-old had a Rugby World Cup to forget, riddled with poor decision-making and lack of meaningful game time.
But his class is undeniable and assistant coach Chris Gibbs believes rugby fans are yet to see the best of the talented ball-player - that could all change in a few weeks.
"He's a quality player," Gibbs says of Barrett. "You look at that Chiefs game - he controlled that game with his kicking game, he had a massive impact on that win.
"He's going from strength to strength. It may take a couple of weeks to get that momentum back, but hopefully, we can get that rust out of his game by the time we hit the Blues in week one.
"I'm just looking forward to watching him go."
That first game against the Blues will be in Auckland on June 14, opening a very challenging three months for the five New Zealand franchises.
Beyond the stress of dealing with coronavirus protocols, eight gruelling derby matches in a 10-week stretch is an enormous challenge to overcome.
Gibbs believes squad management and fitness, combined with a little bit of luck, is the winning formula he hopes brings the Hurricanes the ultimate prize.
"The key thing to recognise is there are no easy games and you need to front, everybody knows that.
The key thing will be how well you use the whole squad to make sure you are fit and ready to go at the business end.
"I believe that it will be really intense and the team with the fittest squad at the end will go close to winning."
The off-field challenges could include a lengthy wait at grounds before game time. Gibbs reveals discussions are advancing around requiring both teams to be at the stadiums five hours before kick-off for health and safety checks.
But the former Wellington Lions head coach says the reward is ensuring players do everything they can to produce a quality and safe product for fans.
"I wouldn't say anything is difficult - it's just different. You have to be open to change, and we have adapted really well as a group and embraced the change.
"The boys still aren't permitted to go to cafes and restaurants. We are still doing things in our bubbles to ensure this competition gets up and running.
"There is a lot of water to go under the bridge over the next few weeks, but it's pleasing we had no new cases of coronavirus today, so hopefully we are nearing the return to some sort of normal."
Gibbs confirmed no Hurricanes player or staff member was hurt during Monday morning's earthquake that was felt throughout the capital.
