In-form loose forward Adam Thomson believes the Highlanders are ready and raring to go in their Super 15 rugby match against the Brumbies in Invercargill tonight.
Thomson, the outstanding loose forward of the early stages of the competition, said the bye had come at the right time.
"There's no doubtabout that. The guys are fizzing and looking forward to getting down to Invercargill.
"There was no lack of motivation in the last game, against the Crusaders, but it was pretty tough to come back from South Africa after a couple of tough games there.
"The mind was willing but maybe the body was 10 per cent off the pace."
Thomson has been playing the best rugby of his career and is desperate to add to his 17 tests for the All Blacks.
"The pre-season got me on track," he said. "It's a while since I've come back fresh and had a good pre-season.
"Having that burst with the New Zealand sevens team last year got my ball-handling and aerobic levels back up again and I'm feeling good."
Thomson missed the Commonwealth Games tournament because of a knee injury while playing his 50th game for Otago, against Northland, but the consolation was that it gave him his first extended break from the game since he began his first-class career in 2004.
He also had to make the difficult decision of whether to accept an offer to join the Crusaders in Christchurch, his home town, or whether to remain with the Highlanders.
"Jamie [coach Jamie Joseph] was a big part of my decision to stay in Dunedin," Thomson said.
"I liked the vision and direction he had for the team. It got me excited and wanting to be a part of it."
The Highlanders will face a Brumbies side desperate for success after losing their last four games, the latest 29-22 against the Waratahs in Canberra.
First five-eighths Colin Slade will make his long-awaited Highlanders' debut after suffering a broken jaw in a pre-season game against the Blues.
He will replace veteran Tony Brown in the No 10 jersey in one of three changes to the starting lineup.
Fit-again wing Kade Poki replaces James Paterson and All Black lock Tom Donnelly comes in for his first start of the season with Josh Bekhuis moving to the bench.
