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Highlanders' prop Jamie Mackintosh has emphasised the need for a strong start to the Super 14 against the Brumbies at Carisbrook on Friday night.
The Highlanders lost their first six games last year, five of them by eight points or less, including an unlucky 20-22 loss to the Brumbies in Canberra.
"It was a frustrating time," Mackintosh said yesterday. "No one likes losing and we've talked about that a lot pre-season.
"It's really time for us to step up. Coming second doesn't get crowds into the stadium and get people behind us.
"We're a year older and wiser now. We don't want to go down the same track and be known as the competitive team which won very few games.
"It all starts with the Brumbies. It's paramount to our season that we win at home and get off to a good start."
Mackintosh, 23, recalled how the Highlanders almost scored the winning points from a last-minute break last year but added there was a healthy respect for the Brumbies.
"They've got a great attacking structure and play with width and pace," he said. "They use their strengths well and their props are good ball carriers. Hopefully, if we can play the game at our pace and set up the physical game, there might be a bit of payback."
Mackintosh captains Southland and is the Highlanders vice-captain this year. An indication of his enthusiasm is that he returned to training on January 5, two weeks before he was scheduled to do so.
"My main role is to support Jimmy (Cowan, the new Highlanders captain)," he said. "I'm not afraid to speak up when things are not going right. A few of the boys are pretty new and are probably a bit reluctant but I don't mind helping to sort out things if, say, we have a problem in the lineouts or on defence."
Southland provides seven players, including the captain and vice-captain, to the Highlanders after a strong performance in last year's Air New Zealand Cup.
"There probably is more interest in Southland now with a new maroon strip, two games in Invercargill and a number of Southlanders in the team. It gives Southlanders more of a feeling that it's their team as well.
"They maybe thought Southland was the little brother and got the short end of the stick at times in the past. It's definitely not the case now."
Southland's latest All Black - Mackintosh made his test debut against Scotland in Edinburgh late last year - wants to achieve high-level consistency this season.
"There are plenty of players who have had one good year and slipped off the radar. It's something I don't want to do.
"I know I don't have to go out and make 50m barnstorming runs every game. If I can do my core role well - scrummage strongly, get my body position right around the field and make my tackles - I think that's how I'll assess my season.
"Even if I don't get back in the All Blacks again - that's out of my control - at least I'll look back on the season and know I've worked hard and done the best I could."
Mackintosh, who has played 42 games for Southland and 14 for the Highlanders, said he learnt "heaps" on the All Black end-of-season tour and became more comfortable in the environment as the tour progressed.
There are three confirmed new Highlanders in the team to play the Brumbies: fullback Israel Dagg, wing Ben Smith and lock Josh Bekhuis. Midfielder Jayden Hayward will also make his debut if Johnny Leota fails to shrug off a rib problem.
- NZPA
