The team now has to concentrate on getting individual skills right and taking on what will be a fully committed Jaguares team in Buenos Aires on Sunday (NZ time).
Highlanders assistant coach Scott McLeod said from Argentina yesterday the side had a long day flying to Argentina but had trained well and there was plenty of enthusiasm and commitment.
"We wanted to have a real good look at the boys in training and see how they stepped up. We wanted to treat the day and the week as normal as we can,'' he said.
McLeod said this week was about trying to get the returning All Blacks integrated back into the team and aligned to the game plan.
Captain Ben Smith, Aaron Smith, Waisake Naholo, Elliot Dixon and Malakai Fekitoa missed the game against the Kings in Port Elizabeth but have arrived in Argentina for the match in Buenos Aires.
All are expected to be back in the team for the game in the weekend.
McLeod said the team had looked at the clash against the Kings which the side won convincingly in the end by 48-18. However, it had been a close run thing at one stage with the Highlanders up only 20-18 with less than 15 minutes to go.
McLeod said the team had been through the match review and the players and coaching staff were unhappy with the performance.
There were handling errors as well as individuals not showing skills expected at this level.
McLeod said there were areas to address on defence.
"I think we gave them too much momentum and time and space. We've just got to get better.
"We've had a good look at the Jaguares game last week. They played well and 14 of them had backed up from playing for Argentina the week before. They played extremely well against the Bulls . . . and there is a challenge ahead for us.''
The Jaguares defeated the Bulls 29-11 in the wet in Buenos Aires.
"Their set piece was outstanding and they played a very fast, physical game and turned their loose forward domination to their advantage quite quickly.''
McLeod said most of the team had not been to Argentina before so it was a new experience for most. They had a brief look around yesterday but have a day off on Wednesday (Argentina time) and most would do a bit of exploring. Argentina is 15 hours behind New Zealand.
McLeod shed some more light on the condition of co-captain Shane Christie.
McLeod said Christie had played the first half against the Kings and at halftime he stayed on the field as he had started feeling dizzy.
He was taken off the field by by medical staff, sitting on the back of a cart, and then Highlanders medical staff took him to the local hospital for tests.
He had returned to the team hotel in Port Elizabeth and was talking to team-mates. However, it was decided to send Christie home for more evaluation.
McLeod said it was unclear what had happened but he had not been knocked out.
Fellow loose forward Liam Squire had also returned to New Zealand after concussion symptoms at the end of the Kings game but, from all accounts, was showing signs of improvement.
Prop Craig Miller and loose forward James Lentjes had travelled to Argentina along with the five All Blacks to boost the squad.