The Highlanders leave for Australia today for a week-long tour in which they will play the Brumbies tomorrow in Wagga Wagga and then the Rebels in Melbourne next Thursday.
The side's three All Blacks, Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Malakai Fekitoa, all came back to training last Monday but will not travel across the Ditch, instead staying behind and doing their own training.
''The three that we have got have all come back and tested as good as, if not higher, than anyone else. So that suggests they have been working hard anyway,'' Joseph said.
''Sometimes it may be better to be a little bit underdone, so you've got something to work towards. But that is not the sort of athletes they are ... the fact they have maintained all their fitness levels means they are going to be pretty good when they come back.''
Also staying behind is winger Richard Buckman, who looks unlikely to start the opening game of the season against the Crusaders on February 21.
Joseph said Buckman was not looking good to be ready for the start of the season.
He injured his knee in the semifinal of the ITM Cup last year and after going through some rehabilitation, injured it again at training earlier this month.
But one man's loss is another man's gain after Waisake Naholo and Ryan Tongia impressed against the Crusaders last weekend in a pre-season game in Timaru.
''That is how rugby is, really. You don't think you can replace a player then two guys put on two good per-formances. But that is good for us.''
Lock Tom Franklin was also unavailable for tomorrow's game because of a bump to his leg he picked up last week.
Entering New South Wales country territory was new to all members of the squad.
''It is going to be a challenge . . . travelling to Wagga Wagga where none of us have ever been to. Not sure what to expect except a motivated bunch of Brumbies who got beaten by the Force the previous week.''
Joseph was happy with where the side was at this time of the year.
''We needed that match [last week] to work out how we are tracking. And we are tracking OK.
''Where I would like to be this time of the year is to be highly motivated and injury-free. I think we are getting the highly motivated and we have got to make sure we do not pick up too many injuries.''
Joseph confirmed the first two games of the pre-season would see as many players as possible given an outing. Something resembling a starting line-up would be picked for the Rebels match.
The match is expected to be played in quarters in Wagga Wagga. It will kick off at 7pm local time (9pm NZ time).
