On the other hand, the Chiefs should feel bullish on a purer platform after eclipsing the Highlanders 24-15 in Dunedin before grinding out the Blues, 41-26, in Hamilton.
But the difference between bullish and bearish mindsets is not a season-defining one simply because those adopting a latter philosophy are actually tentative bulls who are merely biding their time.
Of course, when the dust settles tonight neither team will be foolish enough to turn their backs to the losers amid all the bellowing and snorting. The victors will warily retreat with mutual respect, keeping their eyes locked on the wounded party from a healthy distance until the next time.
Abbott attests to that, as well as the Hurricanes' acknowledgment that they are in a state of false economy where wallowing on collective or individual appraisals can be detrimental to the campaign although some reinforcement is considered healthy for the mind.
"It's hard to put a finger on it but the boys played well," said the Napier Old Boys' Marist premier club player who turned 27 last month on the way to clocking about 25 minutes off the bench against the Rebels.
In some respects there has been a modicum of impatience in finding a decent opposition to put them to the acid test for, if nothing, the sake of realism.
"Any game you play against a New Zealand team in our conference is a key ... and getting the points."
Abbott hastened to add it wasn't necessarily a do-or-die affair against the Chiefs but emphasised it would be a reaffirmation of whether the structures the Canes had put in place were relatively sound and, based on that, the result would take care of itself.
Ultimately all the Canes can do is play to their potential and come away much wiser for the experience.
The individual expectations can be much trickier in an environment where every player has earned the right to be there but keeping the faith in selectors is just as important as feeding one's soul when not considered for the job.
Fans can be excused for wondering what 33-cap Abbott has to do to make the starting XV in the Wellington-based franchise, considering he played second fiddle to Wellington newcomers Vaea Fifita and Michael Fatialofa last season even though he played 14 out of 18 games with just five starts.
This season Wellington rookie James Blackwell overtook him in the queue for a starting stint in the opening two games but today is Abbott's first start.
With Andrew Broadhurst (concussion) and Geoff Cridge (knee injury) unavailable, it doesn't come as a surprise that perhaps coach Chris Boyd and his stable saw the two games as a precision, millimetre-perfect choreography of what they expect to nut out for the business end.
Abbott said it was imperative to know what was expected from a player in the matrix where it could become a horses-for-courses scenario.
"It's all about functioning in your role in the team so you do your role but you do it really well. The coaches don't ask for anything [or] pressure you as long as you do your core roles well and work hard," said the player whose phenomenal work rate speaks for itself.
If anything, Abbott champions the robust and challenging environment where numerous individuals are vying for a place among the 23, let alone a starting XV.
"It's good to have people behind you and around you push each other ... it makes you push yourself harder and improve your game to create a healthy competition in the team," he said, relishing a new roster and staff this season.
Short of reading the coaches' minds, Abbott said the players simply brought the tools of their trade to the table and waited for the mentors to reach for the kit in any given game.
"You have to learn as you go in this game otherwise you're going to be outdated pretty quickly," said the 45-cap Magpie but stressed it was vital to stay true to one's identity.
So what will it take to beat the Chiefs?
Abbott pointed out the hosts boast artillery across the park so disrupting and unsettling their rhythm will be on the agenda.
"When the opportunity comes we'll be there to take them and, hopefully, beat them."
Compared to previous seasons, after his debut in 2014, he is simply delighted to have made the entire pre-season with the Canes after injuries and surgeries hampered his build up.
"I was there from day one to do all the hard work."
On reflection Abbott sees the benefits and the trust it instils in the regime but at the time it wasn't easy to reach out for the alarm clock in the mornings.
Magpies coach Craig Philpott and assistant Danny Lee have reinforced the need to back himself after the ritual review at the end of the national provincial championship last winter.
"Pottsy and Danny said just to keep doing what you're doing and keep pushing yourself as hard as possible."
HURRICANES: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Vince Aso, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara (vc), 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Michael Fatialofa, 4 Mark Abbott, 3 Jeffery To'omaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles (c), 1 Loni Uhila.
Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Chris Eves, Ben May, James Blackwell, Callum Gibbins, Chris Smylie, Otere Black, Jordie Barrett.
