After a slow start that had them at the foot of the Super Rugby Pacific table, the Highlanders feel like they've found what it will take to play playoff football.
As the Blues and Crusaders emerged as Kiwi teams to beat, the southerners endured arguably the worst start to the 2022 campaign across either side of the Tasman.
Tony Brown's side lost their first six games and seven of their first eight, before the NZ and Australian conferences crossed over.
But since their defeat to the Brumbies, the Highlanders have won their last two, beating Fijian Drua in Fiji, before victory against Aussie champions Queensland Reds last weekend.
Those results have propelled the Highlanders into the top eight, putting a playoffs spot within their grasp with three matches still to play.
According to assistant coach Clarke Dermody, the change in fortunes has breathed new life into the Highlanders' season.
"The boys are definitely excited," Dermody said. "Obviously, winning makes a big difference, but our weeks haven't changed all year, it's just the results are starting to turn.
"As long as we keep nailing every week the same, hopefully the performances [will] take care of themselves."
The Highlanders post-season push begins Friday, with their first home game in nearly a month against Western Force at Dunedin.
Currently 10th on the ladder, the Force are one of the teams challenging the Highlanders for that last finals spot, so Dermody insists the team's focus won't shift.
"The job's not done. We understand the position we put ourselves in.
"We started the season pretty slowly, by our standards, and now we've given ourselves a chance, but we've still got to play the Force and the Rebels - teams fighting with us for that spot.
"We understand how big the game is in the context of our season. It's a matter of making sure we get this week right - it's going to be pretty important."
Should the Highlanders take that final playoff spot, they'd likely face either the Blues or Brumbies in their quarter-final, but always happy to play the underdog, Dermody asserts they will back themselves against any opponent.
"If we can get there, if we can sneak into that top eight, we feel like we can play anyone. It's a knockout game.
"It's matter of us getting there and getting a win over the Force, who are a direct opponent of getting there."
Join us at 7pm Friday for live updates of the Highlanders v Western Force Super Rugby Pacific clash
