Rutledge, who was the player of the season for the franchise last year, and who will pack down at hooker for the side in its game against the Crusaders in Oamaru this afternoon, said there had been a noticeable change at the Highlanders this season, with new coach Jamie Joseph instantly putting his mark on the franchise.
"What we have discovered this year is it is a lot different. Things are a lot more up tempo," Rutledge said.
"Last year, with a few senior players, there would be a lot more talking on the training paddock and input from the players. This year, if you want to say something you do so before or after training, behind closed doors."
"Everything is done at pace, which is good. It puts a lot of pressure on you, which has to be a good thing ... there is a lot more contact as well. We have been doing a lot of game scenarios this week and nothing gets held back."
But the big question which comes to mind is whether this new approach will make the difference where it matters - the scoreboard.
"It is hard to say but we are going to find out soon. Confidence is a big thing in this competition. We've just got to start well. The first two games are going to be crucial for us.
"The competition is very hard. You've got 16 games now and they are all hard games. You might not win them all but you want to play well in all of them."
Rutledge (33) has a dozen Southland team-mates in the squad but he said the Highlanders was not about bringing that Southland culture to the side.
"Culture is a big thing for us. We might not have nine or 10 All Blacks but the point of difference is we have a group of guys who want to play for each other. Want to fight to the death.
"We want to build our own culture, not one from Southland, not one from Otago. Build a distinct Highlanders culture. And that is what we have been working hard on. Guys getting to know each other. Our camp up in Wanaka really helped that, guys getting together for a week, with family and kids up there.
"We want to bring back those days when the public wanted to know the team and we could engage with them."
This is the fourth full Super rugby campaign for Rutledge and he admits it comes around pretty quickly.
"You have Christmas Day and the all of a sudden you're getting into February and the games come around. The body feels fine, been working really hard. With three hookers in the squad now you can't really relax."
One of those hookers, Brayden Mitchell, is Rutledge's apprentice in his plumbing business.
With the two in Dunedin, Rutledge Plumbing is in limbo for a few months but he admits getting away from rugby and doing some plumbing jobs was beneficial on both fronts.
Rutledge said today's game against the Crusaders in Oamaru was another path to the start of the season but he would not read too much into it.
"They'll be keeping some of their powder dry and not showing everything and so will we. We've picked a bit of a different team so guys can push their claim for a starting spot."
Rutledge will lead an inexperienced forward pack against an All Black-laden Crusaders front eight.
This is a big game for the likes of Highlanders backs Robbie Robinson and Siale Piutau and loose forwards Adam Crosswell and Alando Soakai.
Places in the starting XV are still open and a good performance against the competition heavyweight will give the Highlanders a boost, a week out from the opening game against the Hurricanes.
HIGHLANDERS v CRUSADERS
- Oamaru, today, 4.30pm
• Highlanders: Ben Smith, James Paterson, Siale Piutau, Matt Saunders, Kade Poki, Robbie Robinson, Jimmy Cowan, Elliot Dixon, Alando Soakai, Nick Crosswell (captain), Josh Bekhuis, Jarrad Hoeata, David Te Moana, Jason Rutledge, Bronson Murray.
Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Chris King, Joe Tuineau, John Hardie, Aaron Smith, Ben Atiga, Telusa Veainu, Adam Thomson.
• Crusaders: Sean Maitland, Tom Marshall, Robbie Fruean, Adam Whitelock, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Chris Jack (captain), Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett.
Reserves: Francis Smith, Ben Franks, Luke Romano, Jonathan Poff, Kahn Fotuali'i, Matt Berquist, Tom Taylor, Willi Heinz, Matt Todd, Luke Whitelock, Nic Barrett, Andrew Olorenshaw, Brendon O'Connor, Tyler Bleyendaal.
• Referee: Keith Brown (Southland)
