The Highlanders though are not going to have it all their own way when the side takes on the Jaguares in Buenos Aires tomorrow.
The Jaguares are coming off a fine win over the Bulls last week, appear to be getting used to the rigours of Super rugby and should have a fired-up crowd behind them.
It is Independence Day in Argentina on the day of the match, a day of celebration, so there should be plenty of encouragement for the home side when it goes into battle.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said the side has enjoyed a good week in Buenos Aires.
"We've got a lot of young guys here who have not been on tour before. So it has been a unique experience for them,'' he said.
"It is the best time of their lives, really. They get to see all these countries, stay in the best hotels and get to really enjoy themselves. It is a privileged position rugby players and coaches do get with the places they go. But it all comes down to how we play on the day.''
Joseph said the side went to a steak house one night this week and enjoyed a traditional Argentinian meal.
The match is crucial for the side as it still looks to top the New Zealand conference or even indeed make the playoffs.
The four other sides in the New Zealand conference play Australian sides and one could argue - though rather thinly - that the Highlanders have an advantage, as they will play last of all the New Zealand sides this weekend.
But the Highlanders are sticking to their familiar line of not worrying about other games or outside influences.
The Jaguares have plenty of internationals in their side and most of them started against France and Italy in the June internationals.
In captain Agustin Creevy they have a player who leads from the front and he must be kept on the back foot and deprived of the ball for the Highlanders to get home.
Joseph welcomes back all his All Blacks and said the plan was to always rest them for the match against the Kings and then bring them back for this game. They has blended back into the side well and will be looking to lead the side to victory.
The Highlanders backline looks potent, with six internationals.
Winger Patrick Osborne will play his 50th game of Super rugby.
The one surprising selection is Taieri flanker James Lentjes getting a start on the openside flank.
Lentjes has played all of six minutes so far this year but Joseph said he deserved his spot.
"It has been hard to find an opportunity for James with the captain an openside flanker and Dan [Pryor] has been going well.
"But Shane [Christie] got crook and we are going up against a very physical, big pack. The style he [Lentjes] brings is very confrontational and that is where we believe the Jaguares will look to attack us.''
Joseph said Pryor was expected to come on at some stage.
The other surprise is in the backs, where Matt Faddes goes to the reserves after scoring three tries last week.
Joseph said All Black centre Malakai Fekitoa was not a bad replacement and Faddes had played in nearly every game, so an eye had to be kept on his workload.
Faddes is the most experienced of the backs reserves, being joined by halfback Te Aihe Toma and first five-eighth Fletcher Smith.
After last week's game in pouring rain in Buenos Aires, the forecast of fine weather is more promising.
