It doesn't bother Jackson that the Craig Philpott and Danny Lee-coached Magpies have two defeats from as many games.
Nor does he have a complex about the Magpies roosting among the top-tier teams while Counties Manukau are competing in the championship below them.
"There's nothing between the two because anyone can beat anyone on their day," he says, making a fair observation based on franchise catchment side Tasman upstaging their superiors Canterbury 25-22 last Friday night.
Jackson is careful not to come across as too cocky, emphasising the Mike Coman-captained Magpies are a "well-rounded" outfit who will be hard to eclipse tomorrow night in their first cross-over encounter.
Needless to say the hosts are desperate to post a victory after succumbing 29-36 to Auckland in the opener and 30-15 away to Wellington on Tuesday to leave them with just a bonus point so far.
If anything, the Magpies have played two games of two halves - an abysmal first half against Auckland and an equally uneventful one in the second against the Lions.
No doubt Philpott and Lee will be driving home the importance of putting together an entire 80-minute display on the foundation of some solid tackling that exposed chinks in the armour on Tuesday.
Champion Super Rugby Chiefs hooker Hika Elliot provided the impetus he promised before the game against the Lions but also drove home the point it was a mistake to leave him out of the starting XV in the opener.
Prop Ben Tameifuna didn't look all that comfortable and one has to ask the question: Was it wise to move him from tighthead to loosehead?
As cliched as it sounds, a more concerted effort will be imperative for the Magpies if they are going to contain Counties Manukau boasting Pacific Island flair in a backline that is capable of shredding any opposition if passes stick and the forwards put in the hard yards, especially under the leadership of ex-Magpie and Chiefs hooker Mahonri Schwalger, who should provide a good battle against Elliot's open, running play.
"He's just fantastic off the field, too," Jackson says of Schwalger.
Jackson can't speak highly enough of former All Black skipper Umaga as Counties coach.
Unlike many other ex-ABs taking up coaching, he feels Umaga has assumed the mantle in leaps and bounds since his first foray with French club Toulouse.
While the fun is pivotal with the boys during training at the park, Jackson says they know who's the boss when play gives way to work.
"Having fun in our environment is great but Tana is the catalyst for hard work."
With his tactical nous, Umaga brings his own brand of coaching built on players taking leadership and ownership.
So what brand is that?
"Well, it's sort of his way or the highway, if you know what I'm saying."
Umaga focuses on attack and defence while Jackson fine-tunes the forwards as well as set-piece play and kick-offs although they do cross over.
Last night's ITM Cup Premiership result:
Canterbury 33 (Ellis 2, Heinz tries; Taylor 4 pen, 3 con) Auckland 11 (Lam try; Anscombe 2 pen).
HT: 20-11.
