Since then they have drawn away to Bangladesh, beaten the West Indies and India at home, trumped the West Indians again in the Caribbean, and gained a hugely meritorious draw with Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
That's six wins, five draws and only two defeats, to the West Indies away and Pakistan a few weeks ago in Dubai.
"I guess it comes with winning games and series, that confidence grows," Watling said yesterday.
"Everyone knows their role now. Even the likes of Mark Craig, who's played only six games. He knows exactly what is expected of him."
Even though this series is to be played in conditions distinctly different from those experienced in the UAE, Watling says there is momentum and that will help spur New Zealand on. This is a group of players who are enjoying themselves right now.
"We'll have to play a slightly different brand of cricket but I'm pretty sure the boys will be confident going into the game," he said.
The selectors, Mike Hesson and Bruce Edgar, and captain Brendon McCullum face only two selection choices from the 13 who have assembled in Christchurch.
Dean Brownlie or Jimmy Neesham will take the No 6 batting spot; Neesham probably has the inside running.
Also undecided is whether Neil Wagner or Doug Bracewell gets the third seamer's role in support of Watling's provincial mates, Tim Southee and Trent Boult.
Both were in the UAE without getting a run in conditions which necessitated the use of two spinners - and three in the final match in Sharjah - and only two specialist seamers.
Wagner is the incumbent, kind of, having done the job in the Caribbean. But Bracewell has been in assertive, demanding form for Central Districts in the Plunket Shield and leads the standings with 23 wickets.
Watling senses a big occasion coming up - Hagley Oval is making its debut as a test venue and day one was confirmed last night to be a sellout.
"Everyone's pretty excited about the game. Hopefully we get a bit of bounce and carry so we can really test the Sri Lankan team."
The Sri Lankans admit their main focus on the tour is the seven ODIs, which will follow the two tests.
They play the opening World Cup fixture, also in Christchurch, against New Zealand on February 14.
"We have to be mentally and physically fit for the most-important game on February 14," coach Marvan Atapattu said.
But skipper Angelo Mathews said he expected a tough test, particularly since Mahela Jayawardene's retirement from the long form of the game to concentrate on a World Cup swansong.
"We're playing without Mahela for the first time in about 18 years and that's going to be a challenge for us," allrounder Mathews said.
"But there's pressure on all of us any way. This is going to be a challenging series. They've (New Zealand) been playing really good cricket in the recent past."
Sri Lanka will be without key left arm spinner Rangana Herath for the opening test.
Only Kumar Sangakkara and Prasanna Jayawardene have experienced New Zealand's seam-friendly wickets before in tests.
"Getting used to the conditions will be key for us," said Mathews. "We've been playing a lot of cricket in the sub-continent over the last six months or so, so we really need to make the most of our practice sessions."
3 Things about the Sri Lanka series
1) New Zealand are unbeaten in a test series for 17 months, winning three and drawing two series in that time.
2) They have lost only two of their last 13 tests, winning six and drawing five.
3) The selectors have two team teasers to sort out before the test against Sri Lanka starts on Boxing Day.
