The Wellingtonians are on the top rung of the Premiership, sitting just as many points as the Makos above Canterbury and there's no guessing who the favourites are as the NPC playoffs loom from Friday, October 18.
Yes, there will be a backline reshuffle for the Lions with utility back Shaun Treeby out with a shoulder injury and the walking wounded returning to the fold after undergoing therapy and treatment.
With injured Cory Jane coming into the starting line up, midfielder Charlie Ngatai will vacate the fullback position for the All Black to shuffle into the second five-eighths position.
Tim Bateman will assume the mantle of centre while Joe Hill will be on one wing.
In the front row, props Reggie Goodes and John Schwalger will continue to feed the rotation policy of coach Chris Boyd.
"So you can see most of the team will be back from last week," Watt said.
Jane is returning to the cauldron after almost a six-month layoff with a 40-minute injection in Wellington's 38-16 victory over Auckland on Saturday in what was billed as a top-of-the-table encounter.
"It's just good to see Jane getting back into some footy again.
"He brings a certain culture and even the boys are happy to see him back so it's got to be all good for rugby, too," Watts said of the utility back who is a former Magpies player.
The Lions are undefeated in the ITM Cup season to date and beating the Mike Coman-skippered Magpies on Thursday is definitely on the agenda for an unblemished winter.
"It's not something we set out to do but we'll definitely take it.
"It's the first unbeaten Wellington side since 1986 so if we beat Hawke's Bay then it'll be 10 in a row for us," Watt emphasised, saying the current crop of players and coaching staff would emulate the feat of the Earle Kirton-coached Lions.
While they weren't dwelling on such accomplishments, they were aware of it and would not be averse to the idea of adding it to their resume.
Fundamentally, the Wellington team like to believe that their purple patch didn't eventuate simply because the stars aligned with the moon in the cosmic circuit.
"Nothing happens by accident. The boys made it all happen for us. They've worked really hard at it throughout the season."
He reflected on how Wellington bit their bottom lip to get on with a hectic start to the cup season.
"We played our first six games in the first three weeks while other teams had played just four.
"So I guess we just ticked them off one by one and that's what got us to the top on maximum points," he said.
Wellington's loose trio of Ardie Savea, Brad Shields and Victor Vito are causing untold problems.
They are cutting a path of panic among their foes with opposition coaches threading their worry beads on how to negate their impact.
Savea has almost stolen the thunder from brother Julian on the wing.
"Look Ardie is young and only made his debut as a 19 year old last season so he's a year older now.
"He's has become a little stronger, faster and mature since then and he's fitting in very well with Victor Vito and Brad Shields.
"I've been around the code for quite some time now and I've seen some very good players but I can tell you Ardie's something special.
"Players like him come around only once in a generation," Watt said, refraining from using the label of "lifetime".
Ironically the Oriental-Rongotai flanker started his career at school on the wing but Watt reckons he's equally adept at second five-eighths.
"In fact Ardie can play in just about any position if you asked him to."
Unlike some provincial coaches bemoaning the arrival of elite players nursing injuries following a rigorous Super Rugby season, Watt said the Lions didn't have any qualms about it.
"We don't believe in all that - fatigue factor and all that - we don't buy into all that because they have plenty of recovery time."
He attributed Wellington's domination to adopting an attitude of fielding the best team every round.
"We see the ITM Cup as a sprint in 10 weeks. That's it so you have to be on top of your game."
Watts said the match against the Magpies would be like a State of Origin one, considering the teams are from the Hurricanes franchise catchment area.
The Lions would accord the Magpies the respect they deserve as a proud provincial union.
"Hawke's Bay have players like Lowey [Karl Lowe], Mike Coman and Bucky [Richard Buckman] who have been in the Hurricanes squad so we know what they are capable of."
Watt says the Lions like to play footy with the ball so they are counting on the Bay to turn on brilliant weather at McLean Park to offer a thrilling spectacle.
